Question
Landlord towed me - help?
Hi Everyone - I'm a little p.oed at the moment. I just got a call from my boyfriend that we have been towed from our apartment's parking lot, wonderful. Here's the deal. We have been living at this place for 2.5 years and pay $950 our rent on time each month. That price includes one parking spot for our one car. The spots are clearly marked and everyone is assigned one spot. However over the past 2.5 years about once every week someone parks in our spot. Every time that happens we call the manger's office and ask what to do. Every time they tell us to park somewhere else. I don't like this because then someone else is put out, but what are we going to do right? So last night we pulled into our parking lot and again someone was in our spot so we had to find somewhere else. In the morning I take the train to school and work so I didn't need the car. It wasn't until this afternoon when my boyfriend made his way to work that he noticed the car gone. Unbelievable, we were towed and now he has to pay for a taxi and a tow fee. We asked that the land lord call us so we can work this out. If he doesn't call (which is likely), I plan on attaching the taxi and tow receipt to the rent and deduct that amount from the check. A note will explain what happened and if he won't accept my terms I'll see him in court. Is this a good plan? Advice please :) Hi Everyone - to clear things up - It is a large apartment complex owned by some company, there is no real land lord to call, just his management office. We have tried to tow cars in our spot before but they never do so we are forced to park some where else. I feel like being a child and stomping around at the moment lol... it so frustrating.
2 months ago - 10 answers
Best Answer
Chosen by Asker
You parked on private property, in a space you were not entitled to park in. You don't have a leg to stand on and will end up evicted for non-payment as well. He will not have a problem with this in court, you are completely out in left field and not within your rights.
by Janet P
2 months ago
Asker's Rating: 
Other Answers
The problem is that all these previous "just park in another place" directions are merely verbal - you have no documentation. It does call for a "come to Jesus" discussion with the property manager or landlord, however.
by jlf- 2 months ago
You and your boyfriend need to look for someplace else to stay. If the management is that sucky you should have left after your first year lease was up! But I am with you on the deducting it from your rent thing and I would put stuff in my parking spots or call and get any car towed that is in your spot.
by Ms. Lise- 2 months ago
Call The Association On Him/Her....
by Casey C- 2 months ago
Yes! Its a fantastic plan. I was in the same position as you last year. Me and my girlfreind took the landlord to court and won. The towing fees and everything was deducted from the rent. I hope you get your problem solved. Dom P.S = Unlucky your car got towed.
by Dominic- 2 months ago
You got a lemon Landlord. I don't know where you live but seems to me like you pay a pretty high rent. If there is a specific rule or posting about not parking in others' spot, then you need to comply with this rule and if someone has taken your assigned parking, then call the office at any time of day or night and also take pictures, get witnesses and send the landlord a complaint by certified mail. If there is no stipulation or public signs posted, then the landlord violated your property and disturbed your peaceful enjoyment of your rental place, and you may ask them to pay the fines to retrieve your car, or go to small court to avoid attorney fees. Sorry this happened to you.
by Manny- 2 months ago
Your first mistake was tolerating this problem when it started. If someone is parked in your space then try to find out who the vehicle belongs too. If you can't then tell the LL you want it towed immediately. I don't know how big your apartment complex is, but if it is smaller I'd sent a friendly letter to every neighbor politely asking them to not park in your space or let anyone they know park there. Also, state in the letter you'd never park in any of your neighbor's parking spaces or knowingly allow anyone you know to do that. If all of your work together on this issue then it won't be an issue.
by Ranger4402- 2 months ago
Ranger 44's answer was a great one. Even if you are able to deduct the charges from your rent, the issue of your spot being taken by someone else is still not resolved. Your car was towed from a spot that was not yours, yet the other vehicle was not towed from your spot. How was that determination made? Find out who is parking in your spot and insist the next time it happens that mgmt tows that car or at the very least puts one of those huge orange tags on it that mark it as illegally parked.
by GEEGEE- 2 months ago
Pay your rent. If you deduct it they can charge you for let payment or other charges. It is a civil matter small claims court is where you will probably end up if you want to try to get your money back. Bottom line you parked where you weren't supposed and got towed. That is probably all the judge will hear unless you have something in WRITING stating other wise.
by Ross- 2 months ago
That's a shame. I lived in a complex with a draconian tow policy and I hated every minute of it. Some neighbors might be cool about it but some are real jerks. The landlord really ought to provide some sort of temporary parking where you could legally park in situations like this. I would definitely ask them to reimburse you. If they are going to enforce the towing fee it should be enforced for everyone, and it was not.
by gafpromise- 2 months ago