Lease company won't forward title for paidoff car

[Moonshadow]

I live in CA, leased a vehicle from a leasing company based in NV. I paid off the lease in Dec 99 and still have not been sent the title. Several letters have been sent and gone unanswered. An agent of CA-DMV acting on my behalf contacted the company and they refused to deal with her. What are my options?

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

I live in CA, leased a vehicle from a leasing company based in NV. I paid off the lease in Dec 99 and still have not been sent the title. Several letters have been sent and gone unanswered. An agent of CA-DMV acting on my behalf contacted the company and they refused to deal with her. What are my options?

My response:

I think you might have your terms confused, or wrong altogether.

You said you paid off "a lease". Under a lease, you never "own" the vehicle. "Lease" is just a fancy word for "rent". Once you complete a lease contract, you have two choices: One, return the vehicle; or Two, purchase the vehicle based upon the "residual value" at the end of the lease.

However, if you leased the vehicle, and then purchased the vehicle based upon the written contract's agreed "residual value", then you have a claim.

So, I'm just a bit confused concerning your post. Perhaps you can help me to help you.

Have you contacted the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles?

IAAL

 

[Moonshadow]

Sorry to confuse you. Let me be more clear. The lease term was for 5 years, due in 2004. I contacted the lease co. and agreed to pay some 13+ thousand to own the vehicle. I was told it would take 2-3 weeks to get the title. After the deadline came and went I called them to inquire where the title was and was told the title was lost and they had applied for a duplicate from CA DMV. Again I waited. Now near the end of Feb. I called again, but no one was available to take my call, so I left a message. Three more messages in the next 2 weeks and still no call back. I sent a letter asking for my title in April. No responce. I sent 2 more letters over the next 90 days. Again, no responce. I have a friend who works for CA DMV and she agreed to contact them and see what she could do. It took her nearly 90 days before she finally got ahold of someone. Only to be told they would not talk to her about it. One more thing you might wish to consider; The owner of the lease company is also my former boss. Though I did not work for the lease company, I worked for an auto dealership he also owned. The former CPA for the leasing co. is willing to be witness to the payoff agreement and terms as he was the 'go-between' between myself and my former boss.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Sorry to confuse you. Let me be more clear. The lease term was for 5 years, due in 2004. I contacted the lease co. and agreed to pay some 13+ thousand to own the vehicle. I was told it would take 2-3 weeks to get the title. After the deadline came and went I called them to inquire where the title was and was told the title was lost and they had applied for a duplicate from CA DMV. Again I waited. Now near the end of Feb. I called again, but no one was available to take my call, so I left a message. Three more messages in the next 2 weeks and still no call back. I sent a letter asking for my title in April. No responce. I sent 2 more letters over the next 90 days. Again, no responce. I have a friend who works for CA DMV and she agreed to contact them and see what she could do. It took her nearly 90 days before she finally got ahold of someone. Only to be told they would not talk to her about it. One more thing you might wish to consider; The owner of the lease company is also my former boss. Though I did not work for the lease company, I worked for an auto dealership he also owned. The former CPA for the leasing co. is willing to be witness to the payoff agreement and terms as he was the 'go-between' between myself and my former boss.

My response:

Okay, then I'll ask again. Have you contacted the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles? If so, what did they say? If not, why not?

IAAL

 

[Moonshadow]

No, I have not contacted the NV DMV. The thought had not crossed my mind as the car is registered in CA, and has a CA title. However I will do so, fist thing Monday. I will let you know what they say. Thank you.