Trespassing, why the sense of entitlement?

Question

I have a business that which is located in an industrial/business park. Behind the property is a trail that people use for cycling, running, walking, skating and any other general fitness activity you can think of.

The problem is, that even though we are on private property, people come and park in our lot and take up my businesses parking to use the trail.

Though there is an old small sign in the entrance saying no tresspassing violators will be towed, people claim that they saw no sign.

Why would they need to see a sign in the first place? As fatr as I knew, parking lot's are private property unless they state otherwise. Whenever I looked for parking, I looked for signs that said "public parking" or municiple parking". Has the situation changed? Is it now legal to park anywhere you see empty space?

My landlord said he'd put up new signs, but he never does. And he doesn't like me to put my own up. Is there anything I can do to stop the parking problem?

Answer 1

Put a note on their windshield and politely ask them to park elsewhere. Record their license plate number. If they return put a stern (but clean) note on their windshield. If they come again, you can buy stickers that are like bumper stickers except the glue is on theface of the sticker so you can stick it on their drivers side window (or windshield). And this says clearly they are not to park here. They are a real pain to remove and they obstruct their vison.

Or you could buy a $2.00 valve stem remover and flatten two tires and then charge them $20 to use the phone.

Answer 2

First of all: Is the parking provided by the landlord supposed to be part of what you pay the rental fee for? If it is, then you are not receiving the goods/services you are paying for and until he provides this you do have a right to withhold rent in an escrow account for him.

Secondly: You could make an arrangement with your landlord to replace the signs yourself if he is willing to deduct the expense from your rent. You will simply provide him with the receipts for the signs (which will be a tax write-off for him.)

Thirdly, contact the local authorities and determine your rights. The police station will be pleased to help and let you know if they accept citizen's aid in such cases. Perhaps they will allow you to forward them pictures of violations and the person's license plates so that they can be sent tickets. Sure, it won't stop a few people, but multiple-violators will rack up some hefty tickets.

Answer 3

Put your own signs up anyway. He has agreed to put them up but hasn't done so. All he can do is complain about it. With it being a business, you are entitled to put your own signs up whether he likes it or not. Put a few up that says customer parking only, all others will be towed on site. Then call the towing company to tow them. After they see that you are serious, they will stop parking there. This is what we had to do, and it has helped wonders!!

Answer 4

If yours is a consumer based business, or the businesses around yours are, then absent a clear sign telling people that parking is for customers only and violators will be towed, people will think it's ok to park there.
This is probably because businesses that tow noncustomers who park in their lots generally have very clear warnings to that effect. If people don't see the warning, they will assume that it's ok to park there--private property or not.
Im not saying it's right, but that's the way it is.

Answer 5

Don't ask - tell - the landlord to get the signs put up within a week or you will do it yourself.

Have a car or two towed if the problem continues. That shoudl get the message out.

Answer 6

Start having people towed. Get a tow truck and park it next to the sign. Then people will know you are serious.

Answer 7

People are selfish. They think they have the right to do whatever they want. Stay after your landlord to get better signs put up. You might also talk to local law enforcement to see what your options are for removing cars that have been left there.

Answer 8

In the UK, you are entitled to buy a 'denver boot' clamping device and - as long as you make sure trhat the notices are visible - you are allowed to clamp, and charge for releasing the clamps.
you can bring in an external company who will provide the clamp and the signage, or you can have your own clamp.

If you own the clamp (rather than employing a clamping company) you can make sure that you only clamp trespassers and, if you make an occasional mistake, by clamping a friend or someone from an adjacent company, you can release them with the minimum of fuss

Answer 9

Call and have the cars towed. that will stop it.

But as far as landlord I would hang my own signs and if he/she doesn't like it I would say "Well listen up you stupid git! Put a goddamn sign up or I will but one way or another it is being put up".