Vehicle Seizures
Thanet District Council has the authority to seize a vehicle and its contents if it is believed to have been, or will be, used to commit a waste crime such as;
- Used to fly-tip controlled waste in a way that could cause pollution to the environment or harm to human health.
- Driven by someone not registered as a waste carrier.
- Breaking the rules of duty of care e.g. it’s been used to transfer waste to someone not registered as a waste carrier.
- If it is used at a site that is breaking the rules of an environmental permit
- If it is used to transfer waste to somebody who is not registered as the waste carrier
The Control of Waste (Dealing with Seized Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 set out the procedures we follow once we have seized a vehicle, trailer or mobile plant and their contents.
When a vehicle is seized the registered keeper and the Police will also be notified in writing, the Council will also publish the Notice of Seizure within 1 day of seizing the vehicle on this website below and in the main offices.
A seized vehicle can be held for 15 working days whilst it is being investigated. Where a prosecution has been started, the vehicle will be retained for the duration of the prosecution.
How to claim a seized vehicle
To claim a seized vehicle you must be the legal owner of the vehicle and be able to provide the following documents to prove this:
- V5C Vehicle Registration Document in your name with your correct address and;
- Current certificate of motor insurance in your name with your correct address and;
- Current Valid Photo Identification and;
- Proof of address (e.g. two utility bills in the applicant’s name no older than 3 months)
- Written proof of authority to act as Agent, IF acting in a representative capacity (e.g. valid power of attorney + items 3 – 4 above and proof of ID and address of Agent).
If we require further proof of legal ownership we would notify you within one working day. We must then receive any further required proof of ownership from you within two working days. Our final decision on your vehicle claim will be sent to you within three working days.
If you’ve claimed a vehicle you’ll have 10 working days to collect it, unless we need to keep it for further investigation or are in the process of prosecuting. If you haven’t collected your claimed vehicle within 10 working days it can be sold or destroyed.
If a vehicle is not claimed within 15 working days, it will be sold or destroyed and any proceeds will go against the seizure costs.
Notice of Seizure
Proof of address
- Utility bill (gas, electric, satellite television, landline phone bill) issued within the last three months
- Local authority council tax bill for the current council tax year
- Current UK driving licence (but only if not used for the name evidence)
- Bank, Building Society or Credit Union statement or passbook dated within the last three months
- Original mortgage statement from a recognised lender issued for the last full year
- Solicitors letter within the last three months confirming recent house purchase or land registry confirmation of address
- Council or housing association rent card or tenancy agreement for the current year
- Benefit book or original notification letter from Benefits Agency (but not if used as proof of name)
- HMRC self-assessment letters or tax demand dated within the current financial year
- Electoral Register entry
- NHS Medical card or letter of confirmation from GP’s practice of registration with the surgery