Selling a car left behind by a renter in default at your self-service storage facility (SSSF) requires a specific legal process. Connecticut General Statutes sections 42-159 through 42-168, updated by PA 09-187 sections 45 and 46, outline the steps SSSF owners must follow to legally conduct a public sale of these abandoned motor vehicles. This guide provides a clear roadmap for SSSF owners to navigate this process effectively, ensuring compliance and maximizing returns when Selling Car inventory from storage units.
Initial Business Filing with the DMV
Before you can even think about selling car inventory abandoned at your facility, you must file your business information with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This is a one-time requirement but crucial for legally disposing of any motor vehicle left in storage.
To complete this initial step:
- Complete Form H-123: Fill out the “Self-Service Storage Facility Filing of Business Information” form (Form H-123). Critically, you must include your sales and use tax permit number on this form.
- Attach Sample Rental Agreement: Provide a sample copy of your standard rental agreement.
- Mail the Form: Send the original completed form to the address specified on Form H-123.
The DMV will review your submission and notify you of approval or denial via mail or email. Providing an email address on Form H-123 can expedite the response time. Remember, any changes to the information you provided on this form must be submitted to the DMV in writing within 10 days of the change.
Obtaining Vehicle Information for Selling Car
Once your initial business filing is approved, the next crucial step before selling car assets is gathering detailed information about the abandoned vehicle. Contact the DMV Dealers & Repairers Unit at 860-263-5056 to request the name and address of any lienholder and the legal owner of the motor vehicle. The DMV will only provide this sensitive information by mail to your approved business address.
To obtain this information, you will need to provide:
- Your Business Information: Reference your approved SSSF business details.
- Vehicle Details: Provide the make, model, and most importantly, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the abandoned car you intend on selling.
Important Note: If the DMV has no record of the vehicle based on the VIN, you cannot proceed with filing a notice of intent to transfer, and therefore, cannot legally sell that particular car through this process.
After receiving the lienholder and owner information from the DMV, you have a strict 10-day window to send certified letters to both parties. These letters are legally mandated and must contain specific information as detailed in section 42-160 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended. Crucially, these letters must clearly state your facility’s intention to sell the vehicle at a public sale due to unpaid storage fees.
Filing Notice of Intent to Transfer for Vehicle Sale
At least 60 days after the renter initially defaulted on their storage agreement, you can proceed with filing a “Notice of Intent to Transfer.” This is a formal declaration to the DMV that you intend to sell the abandoned vehicle.
To file this notice:
- Complete Form H-124: Fill out 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.
- Attach Required Documentation: Ensure you include all necessary documentation as outlined on Form H-124. This typically includes proof of certified mail delivery to the owner and lienholder, and copies of the rental agreement.
- Mail Form and Fee: Mail the original Form H-124 along with a check or money order for $10, payable to “DMV.” This fee is required for each vehicle listed on a separate form.
Send the completed forms and payments to:
DMV Dealers & Repairers Unit
60 State Street, Room 322
Wethersfield, CT 06161
Conducting the Public Sale of the Vehicle
Once the DMV approves your Notice of Intent to Transfer, and at least 10 days after you’ve fulfilled the newspaper publication requirement and notified the owner/lienholder again, you are legally authorized to hold a public sale to sell the car.
Advertising the Sale:
The law mandates that the sale must be advertised at least twice in a newspaper that circulates within the town where your storage facility is located. This ensures public awareness of the upcoming sale.
Notification of Sale Details:
In addition to newspaper advertising, you must send a notice of the date, time, and precise location of the public sale by certified mail to both the vehicle owner (if they are different from the storage unit occupant) and any listed lienholder.
Transferring the Vehicle to the Purchaser After Selling Car
After successfully selling car inventory at the public sale, you are responsible for providing the purchaser with the necessary documentation to legally transfer ownership.
Provide the purchaser with the following documents:
- Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Transfer (Form H-125): A completed “Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Transfer by Self-Service Storage Facility” (Form H-125).
- Bill of Sale: A completed Bill of Sale, officially documenting the transaction.
- Proof of Publication: Copies of both newspaper notices verifying the sale advertisement.
- Proof of Notice to Owner/Lienholder: Evidence that you sent certified notices of the sale to the owner and lienholder.
It is then the vehicle purchaser’s responsibility to obtain a VIN verification at a DMV location and meet all other requirements to register the vehicle in Connecticut, which may include emissions testing depending on the vehicle’s age and type. This completes the process of legally selling car assets abandoned at your self-service storage facility.
