Can my landlord tow my car without any warning?

Question

We had a snowstorm last Wednesday, it has now been exactly one week. My landlord came and plowed the Thursday directly following the storm. We are now one week removed, my car has not moved since the storm because it doesn't handle well in the snow and I had been driving my truck. The lease allows for me to have 2 vehicles in the driveway. My landlord towed my car tonight and says he was allowed to because it had not moved in one week and he wanted to finish plowing the areas he couldn't get to last Thursday. Can he do this? Had he just asked I would have gladly moved it. He expects me to pay the towing fee.

Answer 1

No, that is not legal if the lease says you have a right to keep 2 cars there. All you can do, however, is take him to small claims court.

Answer 2

Was it in your lease?

If he was acting without authority pay your rent into escrow until it is resolved. Check with the county clerk of courts and they should be able to instruct you how to do this. Then file a claim in court for the towing fee.

Sounds like your landlord is a dick. No judge will go along with his side of this. A phone call or a note asking you to move your car is not unreasonable. Towing your car is.

Answer 3

THe only time I've head of their being able to do this is if the tags are expired, the car is not in working order, or it states in the lease that you can only have a certain # of cars in the driveway/ parking space. He should have asked you. What's his deal? I 'm certainly no expert, but I think you may have a case on your hands. Don't pay the fee. Ask a lawyer first.

Answer 4

WOW! the nerve! he didnt ask you to move it, then he had no right to move it. landlords are always suppose to give warnings before they do something. call a legal association and ask them what you can do to settle that issue. If i were you, i would move out!