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I have noticed on ebay that someone is selling a van which he claims has been left behind owing him rent. (item no. 120201166809).

Is it legit to do this, or could the buyer end up being chased for the van by the original owner, or worse, being accused of handling / receiving stolen goods?

It's not the first time I have seen a listing like this either....

MW

I suppose it depends on the circumstances. If the van has been left on a campsite with outstanding fees then I would imagine that somewhere in the contract the owner retains the right to dispose of any abandoned caravans to recover his expenses. There may be other circumstances where the same thing could happen.

David

Hi,

I personally see little problem here, the "seller" does seem to be very honest with his description, if the van has been abandoned owing rent then it seems the appropriate course of action.

Worst case is that he is lying, but then I doubt that the van will have a tracker fitted!

As long as you buy in good faith, with ebay you have a description and printed receipt, I would not let that stop you bidding.

Clearly it needs some work but looks charming.

Mr U-M

To clarify, my concern is not the actions of the site owner, who is the one shafted with having to dispose of a caravan he doesn't want.

More the legal situation if the original owner turns up looking for his 'stolen' caravan.

I know if you buy a stolen car, and the original owner turns up, they get the car, and you get squat.  Could the same thing happen here?

MW

Mike

I suppose what you have to establish from the seller is has he given the original owner sufficient notice of his intention to sell the van in order to recover the money owed to him. If he has done this and could provide reasonable proof then I think you would be OK.

David

I bought a vehicle a few years back which had been claimed to pay a debt. 2 weeks after I bought it the stolen vehicles squad were at my door demanding to see it and it ended up going to County Court to sort it out.......I lost, so my advice is DONT. There are squillions of caravans to choose from so dont needlessly give yourself problems.

Steve

Mike,

Yes it is legal to do this, providing the seller has notified the original owner of the caravan that he intends to sell the caravan under the provisions of the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977.

In order to do this the seller must write to the owner, and send it to the last known address via recorded or registered delivery, stating how much is owed and give a date, usually 90 days forward of the date of the letter, stating that if payment is not received by that date, then the goods, in this case the caravan, will be sold to the highest bidder.

Provided that the seller can prove that he followed this course of action, and that he gives you copies of the correspondence, then you will have legal title to the caravan if you buy it.

A house near us has a 4 berth caravan in its garden - left there by a tenant who left there 'in a hurry'    

Landlord wants rid of it for free if anyone wants it.   

It's a Burstner, about late eighties I guess, door on the wrong side.

No idea of its condition though.