Stupid new apartment parking policy

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
03/11/2014 at 21:33 • Filed to: None

My apartment complex leaves a monthly newsletter in everyone's door. I came home tonight to find this month's newsletter saying there are too many "non-driven, disabled, or otherwise abandoned vehicles" sitting in the parking lots, so they're towing any car parked in the same space for more than 48 hours.

I have a feeling they think I'm part of the problem, with my 2 cars. I park my 135is in my designated spot in the garage. I park my mostly-for-winter Grand Cherokee outside. There aren't designated spots outside, you just park wherever. The BMW's been driven like 3 times all winter, so I could easily see them considering it "abandoned."

My problem comes now that the weather is improving, I'm mostly going to be driving the BMW. The Jeep will stay in the outside lot. But if I don't move the Jeep to a new spot every couple days, they'll tow it. This seems like a huge waste of gas, and my time.

The note does also say "if you will be on vacation or have immediate plans to get a disabled vehicle in working condition, please inform the office so we do not tow the vehicle."

Which hopefully means they're keeping a list of cars that shouldn't be towed, and I can get my cars on that list. So...tomorrow I'm going to have a nice friendly conversation with the bitchy manager girl, explain that I have two fully functioning non-abandoned cars, and ask if I can please give her my cars' make, model and license plates so they don't get towed.

We shall see if this actually works. Given her previous track record of having a shitty attitude whenever I've had to interact with her, I'm not particularly hopeful.

DISCUSSION (42)

jkm7680 > Textured Soy Protein
03/11/2014 at 21:35

Just put a note in the window that reads "not fucking abandoned :)"

XJDano > Textured Soy Protein
03/11/2014 at 21:36

city ordinances here are they have to have current tags, or its a nuisance. try and throw that out there.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Textured Soy Protein
03/11/2014 at 21:37

wheel dollies.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Textured Soy Protein
03/11/2014 at 21:40

do you have a strata agreement or something that advises use on the external car parks? Or are the designated spots the only spots you're technically allowed to use?

Textured Soy Protein > XJDano
03/11/2014 at 21:40

Dunno if there's a similar ordinance here but the outside lots are part of the overall complex. There are six buildings (each has a garage in the basement with one space per apartment) around a courtyard with the rental office, pool, gym, clubhouse and volleyball court. The outside lots are within the apartment company's private property so I think the apartment company can enforce whatever parking rules they feel like.

Big Bubba Ray > Textured Soy Protein
03/11/2014 at 21:41

That's a shit policy. If the manager lady doesn't spring for your idea, could you rent a small/cheap storage locker to keep the GC in when it's not being driven?

Textured Soy Protein > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
03/11/2014 at 21:41

Haha that's a fantastic idea but what about when I'm not home?

Textured Soy Protein > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
03/11/2014 at 21:44

I'd have to look through my lease to see what if any policy there is for the outside lots. Residents are definitely allowed to use them. There's plenty of other apartments that have more than 1 car, just that generally each is driven by a different person living in said apartment rather than like me with 2 cars for different seasons. Those folks still only get one garage space so whatever other cars they have go in the outside lots.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > Textured Soy Protein
03/11/2014 at 21:45

Just don't call her "bossy" . Or go ahead and call her bossy anyway. She sounds bossy. And don't ask to not have your car towed. Demand that they leave it right where it is. And if it is wrongfully towed after that, they are paying the towing/storage fees and to repair any damage that might have occurred during the tow. You are a tenant and it's a public lot, why the hell can't you have a 2nd car? And why the hell should you have to drive it every other day? What do they do if somebody goes on vacation? Like legit vacation, not Forrest Gump's dad kinda vacation.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Dr Emilio Lizardo > Textured Soy Protein
03/11/2014 at 21:46

48 hours? That's garbage. We live in the suburbs but have a place in the city. When we come down for the weekend we drive in, park the car, and it sits there till we drive it home. We walk or take public transportation for as long as we stay down because who in their right mind drives in Chicago? Too many people, that's who. Traffic is awful. Parking is impossible. It would take us twice as long and the valet would cost five times the el or bus fares. Especially why drive if you go out to dinner and have a few drinks? That's just asking for trouble. Bad trouble.

When we lived in the city full time we had one car and put 6,000 miles a year on it. For the brief time we had two, the only time one of them got driven was to move it on street cleaning days. Not everybody drives every day. I would seriously object to this policy.

Textured Soy Protein > Big Bubba Ray
03/11/2014 at 21:46

Between paying for a storage unit and having to stupidly move the Jeep every couple days for (almost) free, I'd choose moving the Jeep.

quarterlifecrisis > Textured Soy Protein
03/11/2014 at 21:46

When I signed my lease I ended up meeting with the property manager. I mentioned my vehicle situation when I read "one parking spot per resident," luckily the guy is reasonably young and rides a Harley, so when I explained the summer vehicle thing, he said "that...don't worry about that."

Granted, I also park like this...way away from everyone else. (Sorry for Potandroid photo.)

Kinja'd!!!

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > Textured Soy Protein
03/11/2014 at 21:47

Make sure that you get the number to the towing company, and make sure to keep track of all the complex employees cars as well. Especially the manager girl. If you see any employee car there for 48 hours, call the wreckers.

Textured Soy Protein > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123
03/11/2014 at 21:49

The note does also say "if you will be on vacation or have immediate plans to get a disabled vehicle in working condition, please inform the office so we do not tow the vehicle."

Which hopefully means they're keeping a list of cars that shouldn't be towed, and I can get my cars on that list.

Hopefully.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Textured Soy Protein
03/11/2014 at 21:55

it's worth checking out before having a conversation with her anyway. If she doesn't budge then you can check whatever local laws are in place for defining an 'abandoned' vehicle.

Some states say that any vehicle that sits for 48hrs on a property without the property owners consent is abandoned. I'm sure if it became a big enough issue you could get a few of the other residents on board.

At the end of the day though it's probably good for the Jeep to get started every couple of days rather than sitting idle for months.

Textured Soy Protein > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
03/11/2014 at 22:15

Yeah I'm going to start the Jeep up every once in a while. I've been doing that with the BMW during winter. I don't think it needs to be as often as every 48 hours though. I'll still use the Jeep occasionally during the warmer months, but the BMW will definitely be my DD.

The note does also say "if you will be on vacation or have immediate plans to get a disabled vehicle in working condition, please inform the office so we do not tow the vehicle."

Which hopefully means they're keeping a list of cars that shouldn't be towed, and I can get my cars on that list.

Squid > Textured Soy Protein
03/11/2014 at 23:17

Definitely have a note on the dash saying "Not abandoned, 4WD engaged! All towing fees to be billed to apartment complex" or something of that sort, but basically just leave it with 4wd engaged and the wheels turned to full lock and basically make it so they need to do a whole bunch of work to tow your truck. Parking next to curbs helps this as well. Just make sure to leave a note saying that 4wd is engaged and then try to lock it in place with a jimmy rigged club so they need to use dollies to tow your truck. Essentially making your truck as difficult to tow as possible.

Or you can just check your lease agreement with their vehicle and parking policies and talk to the bitchy complex manager after you have what your legally binding contract says. But really they need to post signs if they are going to tow at the 48 hour mark.

Textured Soy Protein > Squid
03/11/2014 at 23:22

I'm hoping I don't have to resort to sheistyness to keep from it getting towed.

It's also very easy to leave 4wd engaged, since it doesn't actually have a 2wd mode. Maybe I could leave it in low range (which locks the transfer case split 50/50) to fuck with them more?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Textured Soy Protein
03/11/2014 at 23:27

Jack up the car and take them out and put them in the car.

Textured Soy Protein > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
03/11/2014 at 23:28

This is beginning to sound like significantly more effort than just driving the car to a new spot every couple days.

Squid > Textured Soy Protein
03/11/2014 at 23:29

Yup, find some way to use an autoclub to lock the lever in low range when they open the car up to get it out of low range. And always park next to a curb with the wheels pointed into the curb so they can't easily get a dolly at the wheels. The longer they have to work at it means you have a greater chance of not getting towed or finding out that they are trying to tow your truck and stopping it before they hook it up. Another route is to make friends with the tow drivers and buy them a beer/ give them a joint and try to befriend them so they won't take your truck.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Textured Soy Protein
03/11/2014 at 23:30

Well, just hook up with her and then whisper in her ear that the Jeep is not to be towed.

Textured Soy Protein > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
03/11/2014 at 23:52

Haha she is very unattractive, and I don't think my gf would approve of this plan.

CalzoneGolem > Textured Soy Protein
03/12/2014 at 11:03

Cantankerous is not used enough.

The Dummy Gummy > Textured Soy Protein
03/12/2014 at 11:09

Find the part in the lot where there are no cars and parking spots on either side. Reverse into the one spot then pull forward into the other every few days.

I would make those print outs but I wouldn't expect it to hold up in court.

Lekker > Textured Soy Protein
03/12/2014 at 11:15

That policy is utter shit. I've had a pissy management previously and they sure as heck did not go without a fight. The situation was incredibly similar. The only difference is that I had a car and motorcycle, and the spot I was arguing for was my designated spot.

What I recommend is to do the sign as you said. That sign will make anyone attempting to tow it second guess themselves, or ask the manager again "Are you sure we should tow this, it says its not abandoned" kind of thing. Hopefully. What I had to do was literally pull the car out, and back up into the spot. Then two days later, simply turn it around again. Took me 5 minutes every two days so I simply said whatever and did it. They got ubber pissed when I put a cover on my car tho, they said it looked sketchy. My response? This place is sketchy as tits, do YOU want to pay for anything that gets stolen or damaged? Didn't think so. Move on.

Sn210 > Textured Soy Protein
03/12/2014 at 11:15

Read the update, sounds like its time to look for a new place! Shouldn't you get a certain amount of spaces?

CAR_IS_MI > Textured Soy Protein
03/12/2014 at 11:17

When I first moved to town I lived in a complex where I had a similar (not quite as WTF) situation. We got a new apt. manager and she sent notice saying any vehicles not displaying a license plate would be towed, which is completely understandable. Well by NV law, if your vehicle does not have a factory installed spot for a front plate, you do not, by law, have to have a front plate. So one day I backed my Mustang into a spot (fully registered, no front plate, legally) and the next morning I found a warning tag saying something about how my vehicle would be towed if I did not have it removed from the property.

Long story short, I went and spoke to the manager and she said because it did not have a front plate and was backed in so that she could not see the rear plate from her cart, it was considered unregistered. I printed out the state statute on front plates as well as making a copy of my reg (good through XX/XX/XX) and printed a nice letter stating that this legal documentation was being provided as proof of registration of the vehicle parked in spot XXX (we had assigned parking spots) and that the apartment complex would be held liable for any fees or damages to the vehicle if it were removed from my spot without warrant (all in legal bs terms of course). I dropped it off to her and said "Just because your fat ass is too lazy to get off the damn golf cart, does not mean my car is not registered" and walked out (she was a large woman), her jaw just hung open like how dare you. Never heard a peep from her again.

jariten1781 > Textured Soy Protein
03/12/2014 at 11:20

That's kind of a nonsense policy unless the lots are always full and residents can't get to their house.

I suppose the easiest way to deal with it would be to leave the off season vehicle in the garage and park the DD outside.

If it's not in the leasing agreement you could break the lease without penalty since that would be a material difference to the contract.

Textured Soy Protein > The Dummy Gummy
03/12/2014 at 11:39

Yeah that's my plan, there's definitely plenty of room in the lot.

Cheese302 > Textured Soy Protein
03/12/2014 at 11:41

As said previously, read your lease find the wording in it that claims what is an abandoned car per your legally binding lease, if there is none, then go back to the management and let them know that this is what you singed on for, not 48 hours. Or could you just say that you are contsnatly on vacation? maybe agree to moving the jeep every one or two weeks? Even though i personally live in the subburbs, due to cycle commuting i still might not use a car for 3-5 days straight and thats not even going on vacation, i am still in my house every night. this is garbage and i feel your pain.

Textured Soy Protein > jariten1781
03/12/2014 at 11:41

The outside lots are definitely not full. The 48 hour thing is in the lease, so I guess manager girl wants to be a stickler about it instead of working with people.

Textured Soy Protein > Sn210
03/12/2014 at 11:44

I get an assigned space in the garage.

The outside lots, according to the bitchy manager this morning "are for residents and guests to use, not store cars in them."

So if you're a resident and leave your car in the same spot in the outside lot for over 48 hours, that is technically "storing" the vehicle there and grounds for it being towed.

Textured Soy Protein > Cheese302
03/12/2014 at 11:46

I believe her that it's in the lease, but I'll go back through it and see what I can find. Hell, I have to go find the thing, it's buried away in a filing cabinet somewhere. I moved in 4 years ago and the lease renewal documents aren't a full lease, just an addendum.

Racescort666 > Textured Soy Protein
03/12/2014 at 12:05

Your story fills me with all kinds of rage. I have had to deal with asshole apartment complexes more than I feel is necessary for any human. This shit gets about 10x worse when you own a racecar so thank the gods you're not in that situation.

Do not bother leaving a note, they will ignore it, the towing company will charge you anyway, and they will figure out some way of exempting themselves from damages. You can threaten to sue your apt complex if there are damages though. It's pretty easy to put the paperwork together for a small claims court case and while it may not make them shake in their boots, they may think twice about towing your Jeep because they simply don't like it.

My recommendation: look through your rental contract, find someplace in there that says one way or another if you're allowed to park your Jeep outside. My guess is yes. Also find out if the contract binds you to some other living document like their parking policy that they have recently updated. If not, that makes this easier, if so, a little harder.

You could potentially make a case for the fact that when you signed the contract that this policy wasn't in place and would have made the difference in your deciding to live there/renew; therefore, the complex is now in breach of this contract. This is a trickier path but technically they shouldn't be able to change the terms of your lease without you agreeing to them.

Another path lies with how they determine whether your Jeep is "abandoned." You would need to investigate whether they can declare your vehicle abandoned by your local ordinances and how your municipality defines a vehicle to be abandoned. I'm assuming it takes longer than it being parked in 1 spot for 48 hours so if the complex is declaring abandonment by a method other than your municipality, you could (formally) tell them that they are doing it illegally.

TL;DR: the legal way is the only way to go about this since you've already asked "nicely." Notes are not a binding legal document, your rental contract is.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Textured Soy Protein
03/12/2014 at 12:15

parking boots on all four wheels

Racescort666 > Textured Soy Protein
03/12/2014 at 12:15

In the ultimate dick move you could call the office and ask for a copy.

Textured Soy Protein > Racescort666
03/12/2014 at 12:21

Haha actually I was planning to walk in there, apologize for telling her to fuck off, and then ask for a copy. ;)

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Textured Soy Protein
03/12/2014 at 16:06

That's pretty crazy. It is very inconsiderate toward people with more than one vehicle. But it seems to me a policy aimed at getting eyesores/shitty looking vehicles off their properties, which is very understandable. But I think if you make the case that your vehicle is a normal and running vehicle that obviously falls outside of the category of vehicles they are attempting to eliminate you should be OK, provided you are dealing with semi reasonable people, lol.

After typing all this I saw you did an update post, I will now read that. Haha.

JEM > Textured Soy Protein
03/12/2014 at 16:14

1: Call her at least once a week telling her you'll be away for business for a few days, and not sure when you'll be back.

2: If that doesn't work, find out what car she drives and call the tow company yourself. On her car. But not from a traceable phone.

Textured Soy Protein > JEM
03/12/2014 at 16:16

Seeing as this morning I ended the call with her by telling her to fuck off then hanging up on her, not sure how much of an option #1 is.

I actually do know what car she drives, because she's so lazy that even though she lives in the complex, she drives from her building over to the rental office and parks in front of it.

gmctavish needs more space > Textured Soy Protein
03/12/2014 at 22:58

I agree with making the Jeep as hard to tow as possible, seems like being reasonable isn't an option, so just protect your truck, that's what I'd do. If they can't be bothered to run an apartment responsibly, that's a whole lotta their problem