Towing Issues: towing violations, investigations unit, tow operator

Question
The other night my car was towed from an apartment complex where i was visiting a friend. i parked near the club house in an unmarked parking space where there were no signs around....i checked. about 2 hours later i came out and my car was gone. Well here's the deal i saw the tow guy, he was lurking around with a flashlight checking permitts. so i asked him why he towed and he said there are signs at the entrance they say you have to have a permit. so i checked...and it was a very small sign that you wuoldnt notice unless you were looking for it. So it ended up costing me $295 to get my car out that night. My question is, was that a just towing? Do you think the apartment complex should reimburse me?

Answer
Deanna,
The law requires that either the property owner, or his agent, must be present to sign the authorization to have a vehicle towed. Signs and rules alone aren't legal grounds to tow a vehicle. And a tow operator cannot simply tow vehicles based on some agreement or contract with the property owner. It's called predatory towing, and it's illegal. Tell both the owner of the complex and the owner of the tow company that you will take legal action against them if you are not reimbursed the cost of the tow. You can also file complaints with the D.M.V. Investigations unit, your local police/sheriff's department, and your state's attorney general. You can also go to the media and let them know what's going on, if you so desire. Perhaps they know of other victims of the same tow company doing the same thing to them. Get the word out. Sooner or later, these companies will learn that the general public is not simply there for them to prey on so they can make a profit without obeying the laws that govern them. Good luck to you.