Thread: Car towing without informing car owner

Originally Posted by BOW2008

Hi. My car was towed away from private land and was stored for 10 days before I was aware it had been towed. The land did not previously have a sign saying you couldn't park there (I had parked there for one year). But the signs had clearly been put up without me knowing. The new sign put up by the private towing company had printed a telephone number missing a digit which rang without a reply. I tried calling for 3 days with no response. I eventually tracked down the company and I picked up my car and had to pay £700 in cash on the spot (mostly due to storage costs). However they told me they sent a letter via recorded mail on the day my car was towed to inform me but I never received the letter. If I had, I would have obviously picked my car up. They are not replying to my letters of appeal. Is it a legal requirement for the towing company to inform the car owner in writing they have taken my property? If not, isn't that theft?

Welcome to the forums.

A letter sent recorded delivery will show up on the Royal Mail records. You can ask them to provide proof that a letter was sent. I suspect they maybe trying to fob you off with a porky.

Regretably they can tow if the signs are in place. However it is legal requirement of their SIA license that they should be contactable 24x7 as once an offer to pay is made they must release the vehicle.

Some of the more responsible towaway firms will inform the old bill if they tow a vehicle but many do not.

Towing is deemed part of damage distress feasant and is covered by the same rules that govern clamping on private land. You may a case if it took you a few days to track down the firm for at least a partial refund of the storage fees.

Have a read of the clamping guide in the stickies - it will give you a better idea of your rights and what remedies you can take. I suspect that if you are to stand any chance of a refund you will need to take this to court.

Did you pay cash or did you use a card?