Change is coming soon for Businesses that Store Autos

Effective July 1, 2016, if your business is a “storer of a Motor Vehicle for which there is an Ontario Vehicle Permit issued” you must give notice of the fact you’re storing the vehicle to the owner within 15 days and not the current 60 days that you obtain the possession of the vehicle.

This might not seem like a big deal to many, however, no doubt there are some small Auto Repair Shops out there to whom this will be a surprise and a possible problem.

What can you do to ensure your shop complies with the new rules?

1. Make sure you quickly follow up on any vehicles that are left on your lot, waiting for payment; run a search, let the owners know you have the vehicle.

2. Do your paperwork regularly. Do not let work orders pile up before looking into how long you have a had a vehicle.

3. Have a “fill in the blank” letter ready to send out to the owenrs.

Taking steps ahead of July 1, 2016 to be sure you’re ready for the new change is half the battle !

Inga B. Andriessen JD