QuestionI live in an appartment complex where there are several signs posted in designated areas regarding permit parking. There are assigned stalls here, but there also a strip of non-assigned stalls with no signs posted near them. Well we just recently purchased a vehicle and parked it in a non-marked stall until we got the permit for it. The next morning the car was gone and we found out it was impounded. The towing company said they have a contract with the apartment complex to sweep through and tow any vehicles that are parked illegally. They said it was towed for "no permit." What do you think so far? Then we went to get the car out and on the invoice there is a signature of person authorizing tow...it was signed John S. I then asked the tow company who that was and he said it was the security officer. I asked what the last name was and he said he didn't know and that he didn't have that information. I thought that was a little strange. I complained to the apartment complex and they said they talk to the tow company and got them to lower the price from $220 to $110...which I was grateful for, but it just seemed strange. I just need help....I have no problem with admitting if I was in the wrong, but I don't feel that I was. I reveiwed my lease and could not find any info on the non-marked spots. Please give me some advice/suggestions. Any feed back would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Malia
Answerwell, as I have said before Apartment complexes are a strange place to live and park vehicles.
Illegaly parked vehicles can be ones in spaces where they are over the line into the next space, unlicensed, no permits, not operable, or even backed into the space. Depends on how they want to define Illegal.
Leases usually have language in there about vehicles and parking.
Now if the complex you live in has a real security guard who is authorized to sign for tows then thats a bit better. But some security companies are just extensions of the towing company. It has been around for a while in some areas. California comes to mind with that practice.
Now as to the apartment complex getting the towing fee lowered thats great. They did help you, but they should have a bit more information also. Do they know who the security company is? that would be a start. You want to find out the reason for the tow and therefore want to make sure you are not in "VIOLATION " again... Reasonable request to me.
I would work on that end first, If you have more problems you can always go up the chain. Apartments are not privately owned by the managers in most cases, there is someone above the manager. Work your way up and see if you can get answers. BUT REMEMBER one thing, you do have to live there so do not make waves you can not handle also..
I think the towing company has helped as it can, but lowering the fee, and most of them would not of done that...They seem to be good there. They were doing the job they were contracted and asked to do it sounds like.
I think the key is the defination of "Illegaly Parked " work on that and it might provide answers.
Hope this helps
Richard
