QuestionI work for Americorps for a community center in a low income apartment complex (not section 8). I also live in the neighborhood. This morning a private towing company was called by the apartments because I was not properly parked. I was parked on the side of the building (not on the grass) rather than in a spot. There is no sign that warns of towing so I parked as if I would park on the side of the road in a residential neighborhood. Furthermore, they were specifically called in to tow another vehicle parked in the grass but decided to hit mine first. The tow company said the ticket was 50 bucks. I asked for a receipt, I got a slip of handwritten paper with only the amount, the company name, and the date. I had to add their names and a phone number to their business. They didn't even have a business card. After this was settled, they went after the other vehicle which they stuck a warning sticker on. There was no warning sticker on mine. I apologize for the long explanation but it gives the background to my question.
Is there a legal protocol in the state of ky for private towing in a residential neighborhood where the towing is being issued by the renters on the rentees such as warnings, signs, and official documentations (receipts and such)? Because this sounds like predation upon the impoverished and undocumented immigrants (perhaps a separate issue all together) that live in this neighborhood.
Also, thanks Richard. You're doing a great service. And remember, always be nice to the guy driving the tow truck.
AnswerWell, I really hate questions from Kentucky as I can not really find any information on the laws of the state for towing from private property online.
But the receipt issue and or business card issue, does sound like it is a bit "shady" to me and while they might of picked your vehicle first to tow, it does happen that tow companies do tend to pick up or attempt to tow and get paid for as much as possible. Legal or not, it sounds like someone called them to come get illegally parked vehicles from the property management.
Now as to you not parking in a space, well that just makes you a target for towing. If it is not in a space and displaying a permit or what ever is required then it is subject to towing. Basic and simple answer there.
As to warnings and such, the "GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS" in most places only require signs at the entrances and exits to the complexes. That in most locations fits all the warning notices required.
You bring up a good point in your question also, about notices and such. I have to question the rules and regulations now that you mentioned "notices" and the "improvised and undocumented immigrants" issue.
Just my thoughts here, but how far do we cater to immigrants legal or illegal in being politically correct.
Do we need to have warning signs in Spanish, German, Indian, Chinese, Russian, French, and all the other languages of the world so that if by chance someone does come there and park they can be warned of the risks and requirements to do so. Can you imagine how many signs would be needed for this task? What would a parking lot look like if it was forced to comply with requirements like that.
After all in most every state the rules to get a drivers license require you to "read, write, speak and understand ENGLISH" enough to communicate with officials and to understand directions be it verbal or visual.
Now as to the $50.00 you paid, I bet that is a lot cheaper than if it was towed to the storage yard, it sounds like it was a "drop fee" which generally is about 1/2 of the towing fee.
As to getting any of it back, I doubt that you could win if you tried to do that in small claims court, which is your option if you want. The lack of a "valid receipt" most likely will not help you in this case either as the judge will look at the "original offense" and rule on it that way.
Hope this helped a bit.
