Towing Issues: Illegal tow?, rohnert park ca, mom lives

Question
My mom lives in a senior low-income apartment complex in Rohnert Park, CA.  She has been ill for over a month and my sister and I have been taking care of her.  Her car was towed 2 days ago and when I called the manager at the complex she said that they left a note for about 3 weeks saying to contact them and she also said there was an expired registration.  My mom had current registration on the vehicle so basically its our word against theirs (although I told her I could prove to show the registration).  She said the tag wasn't there...  I also don't remember seeing any notice.  I asked if there was any way she could call the tow service and tell them it was in error and since they have a business relationship (my mom is on a fixed income and can't afford to pay)$180 for tow plus $50 a day for storage.  Do we have any recourse at all? The vehicle wasn't abandoned it was just not being used for a couple of months due to illness and she lives there!

Answer
The battle you are going to have is between management and tenant, your mom.  Sounds as management is standing their ground on the notice which resulted in the tow. Most tow notices are neon colored and pretty darn hard to remove without a razor blade. If management simplify put a sticky note or piece of paper on the vehicle I wouldn't think that would be proper notification since moisture and wind could easily remove it. Maybe you could use that as your argument. You could try legal action but what hard proof does your mom have showing she was wronged. I suggest reviewing your mom's rental contract very carefully with conditions on parking. Maybe you can find where management was in violation on given proper notices or procedures. Most rental and parking contracts express any vehicle deemed by management in violation will be towed immediately.  Also, most tow companies and management do take pictures before towing the vehicle as proof of violation and vehicle condition. If they have hard proof and your mom doesn't your argument and credibility diminishes especially if went to court. Hope your mom gets better but know this situation doesn't help.