Holding property for payment

[Brecka]

Jurisdiction

Utah

A friend used my garage have someone change the clutch on her car. The job turned into a nightmare because the car owner had previously allowed, unqualified people to work on her car. A two day job has turned into three weeks, if I pay to get three job done can I hold the car until she pays for the work. Or can i charge a storage fee for the use of my garage and tools

 

[adjusterjack]

if I pay to get three job done can I hold the car until she pays for the work. Or can i charge a storage fee for the use of my garage and tools

No and no. You can't hold her car hostage.

I suggest you give her written notice to get the car out by a reasonable deadline with the admonition that you will have the car towed at her expense.

Once you give her that notice you can negotiate something IN WRITING about you getting the car fixed and her signing a promissory note for the money, preferably with your name on her title as lienholder (recorded with the DMV) until she pays you back.