Abandoned Vehicles

Dependent on the value of the vehicle the council will aim to remove an abandoned vehicle within 72 hours of it being reported to us.

What is an abandoned vehicle?

An abandoned vehicle is one that has not been moved from its location for a minimum of 21 days. Once the vehicle has not moved for a period of 21 days the council will use a number of other factors to establish if it has been abandoned. If, in the council’s opinion, the vehicle is dangerous (for example it has been burnt out) then the vehicle can be removed immediately.

If a car is thought to be abandoned, the council’s Community and Environment Officers can take steps to identify and prosecute the legal owner. To be truly abandoned, vehicles must meet a number of criteria as set out by the council with regard to:

• The length of time left in one place and whether the car is being used taking into account evidence such as car tax, the presence of parking tickets, and evidence from witnesses.
• General condition of the car including tyres and brake discs.
• Dirt or mould on vehicle.
• If there is dirt accumulated, or vegetation growing beneath the car.
• Whether the car is dangerous.
• If the windows are broken.
• Evidence of the vehicle having been stolen.

The council has a duty under the provisions of the Refuse Disposal (Amenity)  Act 1978 (RDA) to remove abandoned vehicles. This concerns people abandoning without authority, a vehicle or parts of, on any other land forming part of the highway, for such a period that it may reasonably be assumed to have been abandoned, OR brought to that land for the purpose of abandonment.

If a vehicle is deemed abandoned by officers, the council can prosecute, even if the car is subsequently claimed. Officers are also entitled to recover costs incurred in dealing with or removing vehicles.

The RDA Act is supplemented by the CNEA 2005 (s10-14). s10 permits officers to issue FPNs for the offence of abandoning vehicles under the definitions given in the RDA Act. The Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act (2005) generally makes the process for dealing with abandoned vehicles less complicated allowing swifter action.

Reporting an abandoned vehicle

If you would like to report an abandoned vehicle, please use our online report form or alternatively contact us. Please be aware that if you report an abandoned vehicle, you may be requested to provide a witness statement. This would be in support of your observation that the vehicle had been adandoned for the period you state, should an owner come forward to claim it.

Officers will inspect the vehicle and if it is deemed to be abandoned, take appropriate steps. The majority of the vehicles reported are ‘only fit for destruction’. When they have been categorised as abandoned and are only fit for destruction, a council officer will serve notice on the vehicle giving the owner of the vehicle 24 hours to make contact with the council to claim the vehicle. If no contact is made within this period the council's contractors will remove the vehicle. If the council's contractors have removed your vehicle it may be possible to retrieve it by contacting us.

Only fit for destruction

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council defines a vehicle with a trade value of less than £1000 to be only fit for destruction. The vast majority of vehicles reported to the council fit this category. However if the vehicle is worth more than £1000 the process to remove the vehicle will take approximately 2 weeks to resolve.

Dangerously parked vehicles

Vehicles that are parked dangerously or are causing an obstruction should be reported to the Police on 01707 638100.

Removal of unwanted vehicles

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council will remove and destroy unwanted vehicles for residents of the borough upon request at a cost of £50. Please contact us to arrange a collection.

Reporting an untaxed vehicle

If you wish to report an untaxed vehicle, please contact the DVLA via their website or call them on 08000 325 202.