An abandoned vehicle on common property can be frustrating for residents and committee members alike. It may take up valuable parking space, impact day-to-day enjoyment, or raise safety and access concerns. The approach to managing abandoned vehicles varies across Australia. Owners corporations or bodies corporate are generally expected to act cautiously and follow the correct process for their state/territory.
In some jurisdictions, there are clear legislative steps to follow. In others, committees may rely more heavily on by‑laws or rules, local council processes, or professional guidance. Understanding the general principles, as well as any state‑specific requirements, can help committees respond appropriately.
An abandoned vehicle is generally understood to be a vehicle that has been left on common property for an extended period, without permission, and with no reasonable indication that it will be moved.
An abandoned vehicle is not the same as a vehicle parked incorrectly or overstaying a visitor parking limit. Before taking any action, committees should consider whether the vehicle:
Before treating a vehicle as abandoned, it can be helpful to take a few simple steps to confirm the situation.
Committees often find it useful to:
Taking time to confirm the facts early can help reduce disputes later.
Across different states/territories, a number of common principles apply when dealing with abandoned vehicles on common property.
Committees are generally expected to:
In many cases, strata, owners corporation, or body corporate managers can assist with confirming the correct steps and coordinating communication.
Not all parking issues are the same, and different responses may apply.
In many schemes, a vehicle parked incorrectly or an overstaying visitor parking is treated as a by‑law/rule or parking issue. A vehicle that has remained unmoved for an extended period and has no identifiable owner may be considered abandoned.
Understanding the difference can help committees decide whether to follow a parking enforcement approach or consider abandoned‑vehicle processes.
New South Wales (NSW) has a more clearly defined process for managing abandoned vehicles on common property.
An owners corporation may be able to remove and dispose of a vehicle left on common property if it reasonably believes the vehicle has been genuinely abandoned. To do this, the owners corporation generally needs to follow the steps outlined in the Uncollected Goods Act 1995.
Obtain a certificate from the Commissioner of Police, stating the vehicle is not recorded as stolen, at least 28 days before the vehicle is moved or sold. When applying for the certificate, details such as the make, model, type, colour, registration number (if any), chassis number (if any), and engine number (if any) are usually required.
Obtain a written search result from the Personal Property Securities Register, confirming the vehicle is not recorded as stolen or subject to certain security interests.
Provide notice regarding disposal, and dispose of the vehicle if it remains unclaimed after the notice period.
|
Value of vehicle |
Type of notice |
Notice period |
Disposal method |
|
Less than $1,000 |
Verbal or written |
14 days |
Any appropriate manner |
|
Between $1,000 and $20,000 |
Written |
28 days |
Public auction or private sale (for fair value) |
If the vehicle is estimated to be worth more than $20,000, the committee may need to apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The Tribunal determines the notice requirements, notice period, and appropriate disposal method.
If funds are collected from the sale and cannot be returned to the owner, they are typically paid to the Chief Commissioner of Revenue in NSW.
You can find out more about this process by clicking here.
In the Northern Territory, schemes operate under the Unit Titles Act 1975, while abandoned vehicles are typically managed under local government laws and uncollected goods legislation.
Bodies corporate may have limited direct authority to remove vehicles and commonly:
Queensland legislation does not set out a single, detailed process specifically for abandoned vehicles on common property within body corporate schemes. Instead, these situations are commonly managed through:
Where a vehicle appears genuinely abandoned, bodies corporate often involve the local council. Councils manage abandoned vehicles under local laws, rather than body corporate legislation. If there are safety concerns, contacting the Queensland Police Service may also be appropriate.
In Tasmania, schemes operate under the Strata Titles Act 1998, which does not provide a detailed, vehicle‑specific process for abandoned vehicles on common property.
As a result, bodies corporate commonly rely on:
Local councils often manage abandoned vehicle matters that affect day-to-day enjoyment or safety.
In Victoria, owners corporations operate under the Owners Corporations Act 2006, with abandoned vehicles generally addressed through uncollected goods provisions and local council processes.
Before removing goods that appear to be abandoned, owners corporations typically need to:
If a vehicle is blocking access or creating a safety risk, it may be moved to a safer location while attempts are made to contact the owner. If a dispute arises and is referred to VCAT, disposal usually does not occur until a decision is made.
Local councils may also play a role in assessing and removing abandoned vehicles, depending on the circumstances.
In some states/territories, councils may offer parking management or enforcement services for schemes. These arrangements can allow council rangers to erect signage, patrol parking areas, and issue infringement notices where parking rules are breached.
Where available, these agreements usually require approval at a general meeting and are managed in line with council requirements. Council involvement can help reduce disputes and provide clarity for residents.
If a vehicle is blocking access, emergency routes or shared facilities, safety may become the priority.
In these situations, committees often consider:
Acting reasonably and keeping clear records can help support decisions made in urgent situations.
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Removing an abandoned vehicle from common property can be complex, particularly given the differences in legislation and processes across Australia. While NSW provides a more defined procedure, other states/territories often rely on a combination of by‑laws or rules, reasonable decision‑making and local council involvement.
Understanding the general principles, acting cautiously and seeking support from a strata, owners corporation, or body corporate manager can help committees manage abandoned vehicles more confidently and reduce the risk of disputes. When in doubt, checking local guidance or seeking professional advice can help ensure the approach taken is appropriate for the scheme and its location.
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This article is edited by Lauren Shaw Regional General Manager and Licensee-in-Charge on May 2026.
