Report an abandoned vehicle

This link above replaces reporting abandoned vehicles via the Operation Crackdown website. To report anti-social driving/riding please visit Road safety in Sussex | Sussex Police

How we assess if a vehicle is abandoned

We appreciate that it can be frustrating to residents when a vehicle remains static for a long time, but if there are no parking restrictions on a road, vehicles holding current road tax can legally park at any time. Being untaxed, unroadworthy or illegally parked does not necessarily make a vehicle abandoned.

We have a duty to arrange the removal of vehicles that are abandoned ‘within the meaning of the law.’ This means that all rights and concerns in a vehicle have been given up and that no one who is responsible for the vehicle can be traced. Vehicles can include trailers and caravans.  If we cannot find anyone responsible for the vehicle, and its condition suggests that it has been abandoned, we may remove it. If we decide a vehicle is in a dangerous condition, we may remove it very quickly depending on the circumstances.

Vehicles abandoned in car parks, on housing land or on private property

The council has a duty to remove abandoned vehicles on the public highway. For other land, such as car parks or private property, we need written permission from the landowner or their agent before we can investigate.  The vehicle must be in the open air; we do not deal with vehicles in a garage or an underground parking area. There may be costs incurred by the landowner if we remove a vehicle.

Vehicles without tax or MOT

The DVLA are responsible for untaxed vehicles. On GOV.UK you can do the following:

Check the tax status of a vehicle

Repot an untaxed vehicle

Report a vehicle with no MOT

Our process for the removal of abandoned vehicles

• The abandoned vehicle report is sent to the Street Warden Team for further investigation.
• An officer will visit to make an assessment.
• Depending on the assessment made at the time we may make a request to the DVLA for the registered keeper details for the vehicle and we will write to the registered keeper asking them to contact us. We may also close the case.
• If the registered keeper does not contact us within 7 days, an officer will place a 7-day notice to the vehicle which gives the registered keeper a chance to claim it. If the vehicle is on private land, we need to use a 15-day notice on the vehicle.
• If the registered keeper does not contact us, we will review the evidence to assess if the vehicle can be classified as abandoned, and if so, arrange to remove the vehicle with our approved contractors for either storage or disposal.
• We will update you with the outcome of our investigation before a case is closed.

How to reclaim a vehicle that has been removed

To reclaim a vehicle that has been removed, please email StreetWardens@hastings.gov.uk. To claim a vehicle, you will need to provide the vehicle registration document or other suitable proof of ownership, together with recent proof of your address (less than one month old). If you wish to drive the vehicle away, you will need to provide a current insurance certificate and current MOT certificate. Any recovery or storage costs will need to be paid before the vehicle can be released.

We can only review reports for the Hastings Borough Council Area.