What to do if…
a vehicle or storage unit linked to someone who died is at risk of being towed or cleared

What to do now

1. Work out who controls the deadline.

   • For a vehicle, look for the notice issuer, council, police reference, highways contact, managing agent, landowner, parking operator, tow company, pound, or tax enforcement contact.
   • For a storage unit, contact the storage facility manager or accounts team.
   • Write down the vehicle registration, unit number, notice reference, address, deadline, and the name of the person you spoke to.

2. Ask for a written hold today. Say that the person linked to the vehicle or unit has died, the estate is trying to prevent loss of property, and you need a short written hold while authority is checked. Ask them to email:

   • the exact deadline;
   • what action will stop removal, sale, disposal, or clearance;
   • what documents they need;
   • whether fees are increasing daily;
   • the safest official payment route if payment is needed.

3. Get a small proof pack ready. Prepare:

   • your ID;
   • the death certificate, if you have it;
   • grant of probate or letters of administration, if already available;
   • a short signed note or email from the executor or administrator if you are helping them;
   • the vehicle registration, V5C details if found, storage unit number, account email, phone number, and address. DVLA does not need a death certificate for its bereavement notification, but councils, pounds, landowners, or storage companies may ask what evidence they can accept temporarily.

4. If the vehicle has already been removed, find where it is before arguing about the reason. Use the notice, the local council, police 101, or the relevant vehicle release route to find the pound or enforcement contractor. Ask what is needed to place a hold, what fees are accruing, and what documents are needed for release to an executor, administrator, or authorised helper.

5. If the vehicle is still on private land, ask for a short written extension. Contact the landowner, managing agent, site manager, or parking operator. Ask them not to move, dispose of, or add avoidable charges while the estate arranges lawful collection. In England and Wales, private land clamping and towing without lawful authority is generally prohibited, but rules and enforcement routes can differ, so keep the request practical and in writing.

6. If the issue is a storage unit, ask for the contract process in writing. Ask the facility to email:

   • the arrears or fees balance;
   • the sale, disposal, or clearance process;
   • the notice dates and how notices were sent;
   • what they need before an executor, administrator, or authorised helper can access the unit;
   • whether a partial payment, full payment, or signed undertaking would pause action.

7. If authorised access is allowed, protect irreplaceable items first. Before removing anything, take clear photos of the vehicle or unit as found. Prioritise ID documents, wills, legal papers, keys, access cards, insurance letters, bank letters, devices, photos, sentimental items, and paperwork proving ownership or account details. Make a short list of what was removed and where it is being kept.

8. Start the DVLA bereavement step once the immediate hold request is under way. If Tell Us Once is available in the local area, it can notify DVLA that the person has died. You still need to follow the separate DVLA steps if the vehicle is being kept, sold, registered off road, taxed, or dealt with when the V5C is missing.