One of my clients, who is also a friend, has a vehicle that has been abandoned by his ex-partner sitting on his drive of the property he rents. The landlord wants it moved. We have tried to contact his ex, but to no avail and we now think they have moved on and have no idea of where. My client/friend wants to put the V5 into his name so he can then sell it (scrap for about £1000) but I am concerned at the legality of this. Can he do this? Where would I stand with AML? This is a really awkward situation!!
Hi Callie
Problem is - to put the V5 in his name means he has to forge someone's signature, so that would clearly be illegal.
Whilst the landlord wants the vehicle moved, if your pal is paying the rent and its allowable to keep a vehicle there then there is not too much he can do (**), although there could be an argument that your pal could charge for storage (and then claim the asset to cover the storage costs) although that of course would need to be declared on his tax return. He would need to go through due legal process for that and keep full records, including what efforts have been made to find the said ex!
First I would get your pal to check DVLA to find out if there is a valid MOT and car tax on the vehicle - you can do this online easily enough. If there is not then there is a possibility there is something illegal about it assuming a SORN has not been completed by the ex. He should then report the vehicle as being abandoned, although I really wouldnt get involved further if I were you.
