QuestionMy fiancee's car was towed from our apartment complex. We had the apartment's parking pass clearly displayed, but her license plate had expired 9 days prior to the 72 hr notice being given (we do not use the car frequently, but were never told to check it for 'tow' signs every three days!). The tow company guy I got the car back from said they had looked at the brakes and determined the car was "derilict." However, I drove the car home without incident. I have put the new plates on, but do I have legal ground to complain about the towing? I believe Indiana code for these rules is Indiana Code 9-22-1, but I can't make heads or tales of the legal language.
AnswerOH yes such wonderful legal laws that no one can really understand except lawyers and judges who rule on what they think it means...
Now as to the "derelict" vehicle... I bet they are talking about looking at the vehicles brakes though the rims. They might of seen some rust on them...
That would be about the only thing I can think of for that comment...
Now various apartment leases and rental agreements have clauses in them concerning vehicles which sit for a period of time without moving.
Add in there the expired plates and it starts to look like an abandoned vehicle.
Now as to complaining, it might not do any good to complain to the apartment management about the tow, because in some cases the manager is the one to call for the tow truck and to sign the authorization to impound the vehicle.
Complaining to the tow company is not going to do any good here as I read the question...
I think the key is "who ordered (authorized)" the removal of the vehicle. That will help figure out if you have a valid complaint.
If the tow company, is authorized to "patrol - cruise" the lot then it will be hard to fight as they have guidelines to follow and I bet that expired plates is a key to getting towed away.
But if the apartment complex authorized the tow, you might have a bit of luck there as a tenant, who pays for the spaces and has the permits.
