You walk outside one morning and find a car in your lot that hasn’t moved in weeks, with flat tires and an expired tag. If you are unsure what to do, a landlord-tenant attorney in Goose Creek can help you assess the situation.
This guide from Matejka Law, LLC, explains what to know about handling abandoned vehicles on rental property.
Identifying Abandoned Vehicles on Your Rental Property
A car isn’t abandoned just because a tenant moved out. Before taking action, record the vehicle’s condition and your attempts to reach the owner. Missing tags or flat tires may prompt a closer look, but those signs alone do not establish abandonment.
What South Carolina Law Says About Vehicle Removal
South Carolina has separate rules for unauthorized parking and abandoned vehicles. A vehicle on private property meets the statutory definition of abandoned after more than seven days without consent.
Ask the sheriff or police chief about official tagging; an officer’s tag starts a separate seven-day removal period. For rental-law context, see South Carolina landlord-tenant laws.
If Someone Claims the Vehicle
If someone comes forward before removal, ask how they are connected to the car and whether the lease or another agreement allows them to park there. Share any new information with the agency or towing company involved. Their explanation may affect whether removal is appropriate, especially if the vehicle was parked with permission.
Towing a Vehicle Parked Without Permission
South Carolina permits towing a vehicle parked on private property without the owner’s consent. If the property is used commercially, the owner must post conspicuous notices near each entrance prohibiting unauthorized parking. Check the lease and parking arrangement before treating a tenant’s car as unauthorized. The towing company must also notify the appropriate law enforcement agency as required.
Handling Other Property Left in a Rental Unit
Vehicles aren’t the only things tenants leave behind. For tenant property in a vacated unit, South Carolina has separate abandoned property rules.
When the tenancy has ended, or the unit is abandoned, check whether the tenant removed a substantial portion of their property or permanently disconnected utilities. If so, you may dispose of the remaining property if its fair-market value is $500 or less. Other cases require the statutory removal procedure.
Common Mistakes Landlords Make With Abandoned Property
Landlords commonly make these mistakes when dealing with vehicles or other property left behind:
- Posting your own tag: Assuming your windshield note starts the official tagging process
- Ignoring parking permission: Towing a tenant’s car without checking the lease first
- Treating belongings like vehicles: Applying towing rules to furniture left in the unit
Keep records of notices, communications, and towing details in case the owner later questions the removal.
Let Matejka Law, LLC, Help With Abandoned Vehicles on Your Rental Property
Start by determining whether official tagging or private-property towing applies to the vehicle. Our firm helps with lease disputes and evictions statewide. You can also read about a landlord’s responsibilities for repairs on our site. If you need help managing an abandoned vehicle on your rental property, call Matejka Law, LLC, at 843-300-8147 to speak with our South Carolina landlord-tenant team.
