What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA
Hello everyone! I was leaving the country and needed to sell my car and my landlord (who I was renting from) offered to sell it for me. I didn't really have a choice (because the lack of time) and agreed, left the car, key and title (didn't transfer) to him (no contract was made or power of attorney was giving). After 4 months I reached out for him and he told me that he spent $1400(!) to fix the car and didn't sell it yet. The car is a 2002 MBZ C230 and probably cost $2000 at the most, so spending that much money is just nonsense, not even worth it. Yes, it needed detailing and check engine light was on (Mass air filter caused the problem) and it would be OK to fix that, but nothing more and extra like he did (oil change and etc). When I left the car with him it was working and running good and now he tells me that battery died and it will cost more to change them.
I posted ads myself and even found the buyer who wanted to get the car, but the landlord told me he is not available at that time and cannot meet with the buyer.
He didn't ask me if it was OK to do all of that to a car. I didn't ask him to fix the car, just to sell it as is for as much as possible. But now I will get nothing, because of all he did on his own. I wanted to get the car and my friend was going to sell it at his friend's dealership to make a bit more money, but now the landlord will not give the car to me without me paying him $1400 first (and he didn't even prove that he spent that amount). Can he legally keep the car now? What are my options? Should I be responsible for all that he did on his own to my car? It's hard for me to do something since I am still out of the country. A friend of mine can help me with it, but I have no clue what to do in a case like this. So any advice would be highly appreciated. Thanks a lot!
Hello everyone! I was leaving the country and needed to sell my car and my landlord (who I was renting from) offered to sell it for me. I didn't really have a choice (because the lack of time) and agreed, left the car, key and title (didn't transfer) to him (no contract was made or power of attorney was giving). After 4 months I reached out for him and he told me that he spent $1400(!) to fix the car and didn't sell it yet. The car is a 2002 MBZ C230 and probably cost $2000 at the most, so spending that much money is just nonsense, not even worth it. Yes, it needed detailing and check engine light was on (Mass air filter caused the problem) and it would be OK to fix that, but nothing more and extra like he did (oil change and etc). When I left the car with him it was working and running good and now he tells me that battery died and it will cost more to change them.
I posted ads myself and even found the buyer who wanted to get the car, but the landlord told me he is not available at that time and cannot meet with the buyer.
He didn't ask me if it was OK to do all of that to a car. I didn't ask him to fix the car, just to sell it as is for as much as possible. But now I will get nothing, because of all he did on his own. I wanted to get the car and my friend was going to sell it at his friend's dealership to make a bit more money, but now the landlord will not give the car to me without me paying him $1400 first (and he didn't even prove that he spent that amount). Can he legally keep the car now? What are my options? Should I be responsible for all that he did on his own to my car? It's hard for me to do something since I am still out of the country. A friend of mine can help me with it, but I have no clue what to do in a case like this. So any advice would be highly appreciated. Thanks a lot!
