For owners of self-service storage facilities in Connecticut, dealing with abandoned vehicles can become a necessary part of business operations. Connecticut General Statutes, specifically sections 42-159 through 42-168, as amended by PA 09-187 sections 45 and 46, outline the legal process for selling motor vehicles left behind by renters who default on their storage agreements. This guide will provide a clear, step-by-step approach on How Do You Sell Your Car – or rather, a vehicle left at your facility – legally and efficiently.
Step 1: Filing Your Business Information with the DMV
Before you can initiate the process of selling any abandoned vehicle, you must first file your business information with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This is a one-time requirement but a crucial initial step to ensure you are authorized to conduct such sales.
To complete this filing, you will need to:
- Fill out the Self-Service Storage Facility Filing of Business Information form (Form H-123). Ensure you provide your sales and use tax permit number on this form.
- Attach a sample copy of your rental agreement.
- Mail the original form to the address specified on the form itself.
Upon receiving your application, the DMV will review it and notify you of their approval or denial. Providing an email address on Form H-123 can expedite this notification process. It’s important to note that any changes to the information you provide on this form must be submitted to the DMV in writing within 10 days of the change.
Step 2: Obtaining Vehicle Information from the DMV
Once your initial business filing is approved, the next step involves gathering information about the specific vehicle you intend to sell. Contact the DMV Dealers & Repairers Unit at 860-263-5056 to request the details of any lienholder and the registered owner of the motor vehicle. The DMV will send this confidential information exclusively by mail to your approved business address.
To obtain this information, you will need to provide:
- Your approved self-service storage facility business information.
- The make, model, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle in question.
It’s critical to verify that the DMV has a record of the vehicle. If the DMV has no record, unfortunately, a notice of intent to transfer cannot be filed, and you cannot proceed with selling the vehicle through this process.
After receiving the necessary owner and lienholder information from the DMV, you have a strict 10-day window to send certified letters to both parties. These letters must adhere to the requirements outlined in section 42-160 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended by PA 09-187 section 46. Crucially, these letters must clearly state your facility’s intention to sell the vehicle at a public sale due to unpaid storage fees.
Step 3: Filing a Notice of Intent to Transfer
Following at least 60 days from the date the storage occupant defaulted on their agreement, you can proceed to file a notice of intent to transfer the vehicle. This formalizes your intention to sell the vehicle.
To file this notice, you must:
- Complete the Self-Service Storage Facility Notice of Intent to Transfer form (Form H-124) for each vehicle you plan to sell. You can access this form online at the provided link.
- Attach all required documentation as detailed in Form H-124. This typically includes proof of default and copies of the certified letters sent to the owner and lienholder.
- Mail the original Form H-124 along with a check or money order for $10, payable to “DMV.” A separate fee is required for each vehicle.
Send the completed form and payment to:
DMV Dealers & Repairers Unit
60 State Street, Room 322
Wethersfield, CT 06161
Step 4: Conducting the Public Sale of the Vehicle
Upon receiving approval from the DMV to proceed with the sale, and at least 10 days after advertising the sale in a newspaper and notifying the owner and lienholder, you are authorized to hold a public sale. Proper advertisement is key to a legal and successful sale.
The sale advertisement must be published at least twice in a newspaper that circulates within the town where your storage facility is located. This advertisement must include:
- A detailed description of the vehicle being sold (make, model, VIN).
- The date, time, and exact location of the public sale.
- The reason for the sale (unpaid storage fees).
In addition to newspaper publication, you must also send a notice of the date, time, and place of the sale by certified mail to the vehicle owner (if they are not the storage facility occupant) and any identified lienholder. This ensures all parties are officially informed of the impending sale.
Step 5: Transferring the Vehicle to the Purchaser
Once the vehicle is successfully sold at the public sale, your final responsibility is to provide the necessary documentation to the purchaser to legally transfer ownership. This paperwork allows the new owner to register and title the vehicle.
You must provide the purchaser with the following documents:
- A completed Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Transfer by Self-Service Storage Facility (Form H-125).
- A completed Bill of Sale, which can be accessed on the DMV website.
- Proof of publication, which includes copies of both newspaper notices advertising the sale.
- Proof that notice of the sale was sent to the owner and lienholder, such as copies of certified mail receipts.
It is the vehicle purchaser’s responsibility to then obtain a VIN verification at a DMV location and fulfill all other requirements to register the vehicle in Connecticut, which may include emissions testing depending on the vehicle’s age.
By following these detailed steps, owners of self-service storage facilities can confidently and legally sell a car abandoned at their property, ensuring compliance with Connecticut state laws and regulations. This process protects both the facility owner and the vehicle purchaser, providing a clear path to resolve issues related to abandoned vehicles in storage.
