# Son scammed by his apartment complex **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 29, 2022, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256 "2022-12-29T03:25:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2022, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/41 "2022-12-30T01:09:40Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > When he returned from vacation, my son’s car is gone. He goes to the leasing office where they say, “Oh yeah, we had your car towed.” Seems like these slimebuckets “emailed” the tenants (and I put email in quotes since my son never got an email) stating that they had to move their cars out of the parking lot at a certain time so they could clear the snow. Even if my son had gotten the email, how is he supposed to move his car from 5 states away? To play devils advocate, asking the tenants to move their cars from a parking lot so it can be plowed is not unheard of. So some questions I might ask is: - How much notice to move their cars did the tenants receive? - Where there other forms of communication (i.e. flyers and whatnot)? - Does the leasing office have your son’s email on file? - Did your son check his spam folder for the email? The fact that your son was 5 states away on plow day is not the leasing offices problem. Where they move the cars to is also not their problem. If you still think your son was treated unfairly, your son can speak to a lawyer or try small claims court (as others pointed out). If your son is that “non-confrontational” and “lazy AF”, then I guess will just have to live with being out $250+. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2022, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/42 "2022-12-30T01:20:37Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > So, where are the residents supposed to move their cars to, even if they do get and act on the notice promptly? Presumably everywhere else in the city is just as snowed in. This is a fairly common predicament. Heck, forget landlords, whole municipalities might enact a parking ban for a night, day, or more. Don’t have your own driveway? Maybe the city manages a parking garage that it will open for folks. Maybe you make arrangements with a nearby business or neighbor who does have parking (when I was in this situation I reached out to the funeral home that abutted my back yard, and they gave me permission and a printed “parking pass” to use when there was a parking ban, as long as I had my car out of the lot by 8am). Maybe you park it in the next town over and walk home. Or take your chances- maybe you won’t get towed. ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2022, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/43 "2022-12-30T01:27:54Z")
One time street parking was totally banned for a snowstorm. Were told to park in the local shopping malls. And it was like 10 below zero and the nearest mall was 2 or 3 miles away. Thank God my neighbor across the street let me park behind her in her driveway. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2022, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/44 "2022-12-30T01:43:21Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The leasing company caused him to lose money. Whether they gained money or not is irrelevant to whether he can sue them for that. Yep – based on the facts as presented, his cause of action (if there is such) would be against the leasing company. It doesn’t matter that he didn’t pay them, they’re the ones who caused the injury. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/45 "2022-12-31T22:37:01Z")
We once went out of the country for six weeks. Got the pets in nice temporary homes, called my credit card companies to inform them, and arranged with a neighbor to top off my fish tanks and bring in packages. I informed my leasing office that I would be gone, and asked them what would need to be done. They said nothing, on their end, as long as the rent was paid. I specifically asked about my car, and asked if there would possibly be any problem with it. I rent a covered space, so there was no issue with my car needing to be moved periodically. They made a note that if something happened like a flat tire, the car wasn’t “derelict,” although they told me they pretty much didn’t mess with cars in rented spots. Then they asked if I had made arrangements to have the car moved if some emergency required the car to be moved, like emergency work on the building. I had not. They said I could leave a key in the office, and sign a consent for them to move the car-- they had tenants who were firefighters, and other people who sometimes worked shifts of several days, so they had a form already. I signed, removed papers and other things from the glove compartment, and some tools and things I kept in the car, because, you never know, got my key back and the consent voided when I returned. They did not have to move my car, and nothing happened to it. I had the choice of enlisting a friend or neighbor, but I didn’t have friends that good living close enough, and wasn’t sure about burdening neighbors, because it was a manual shift. I didn’t mention that fact to the leasing office, and figured they’d find someone on staff who could drive it. Sometimes there are just lots of things to think of when you travel. I know tons of people who didn’t learn to call their banks and credit card companies until they were in another country, with their cards suspended for “suspicious use.” ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/46 "2022-12-31T23:11:17Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > I informed my leasing office that I would be gone, and asked them what would need to be done. They said nothing, on their end, as long as the rent was paid. > > I specifically asked about my car… And now I’m wondering what would have happened if you hadn’t been specific. If you asked them what you need to do and they told you “nothing, as long as the rent is paid”, and then they did have to move the car for some reason, wouldn’t that have put them on the hook? ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/47 "2022-12-31T23:17:09Z")
Well, they had a form already, for people who work jobs where they are away several days at a time. I know there’s a truck driver here, because sometimes the bobtail is parked here. He (or she) probably has a car too, and maybe a spouse. Whatever-- my point is that landlords have faced these things before, or have gotten templates from other landlords who have faced those things. I know at the preschool, we have like, 25 forms for things that might happen in a day, even though we _might_ go a year with none of them happening. I guess it would be on the landlords. I probably would not have had the presence of mind to get it in writing that they wouldn’t need to move the car, but at any rate, that wasn’t what happened. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/48 "2022-12-31T23:27:28Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > We once went out of the country for six weeks. Well, you were indeed prepared- which makes good sense for six weeks. However for a shorter trip, like when we went to WDW for a week, we just got a cat sitter (who handled mails, etc also). We never thought about vehicles, altho the sitter did have access to the keys. ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/49 "2022-12-31T23:34:41Z")
I have street parking (odd/even laws). A few times (after a stroke or another reason for hospitalization), I had my sister get my car from my apartment and put it in her driveway. That way I won’t get tickets or towed. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/50 "2022-12-31T23:47:34Z")
Snow parking restrictions are neither new nor unusual. In my suburban town, the restriction is when there is 1" or more of snow accumulation on the streets. How else are the plows supposed to clear the snow when there are cars in the way? ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/51 "2022-12-31T23:51:51Z")
^^^Exactly, though not the measly 1 inch thing. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/52 "2022-12-31T23:59:35Z")
> [@a6ka97](#): > > I would say your son is 100% at fault, especially after mentioning snow removal. I think somewhere, maybe in small print, of the lease or posted elsewhere, has the rules for parking on the property. Vehicles can’t sit in without moving for a specific amount of time, need to be licensed and in operating condition, etc… Plus in areas where it snows the vehicles need to be moved within a certain amount of hours after a snowfall to clear the lot. > > The email was a courtesy reminder to your son. Did he have the correct email on file? It’s up to him to keep the information current. Knowing he was going to be gone for an extended amount of time and the possibility of snow he should have given the keys to his vehicle to someone and asked them to move it in the event of snow. > > From the horror stories I have heard about impound lots he got lucky with no damage to his vehicle relatively cheap release fee. This probably sums it up. The apartment complex is responsible for maintaining the lot and towing is how it’s dealt with if it needs to be plowed. I would expect some mention of it in the lease and that would make the email a courtesy call. If it’s NOT in the lease then there might be some recourse. As lessons go, $250 isn’t bad. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2023, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/53 "2023-01-01T19:35:59Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > How else are the plows supposed to clear the snow when there are cars in the way? Every snowy state I’ve lived in, they just plow the part people drive in and everyone then digs their car out. ---
**Author:** ![SoToasty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sotoasty/32/2803_2.png) [@SoToasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoToasty)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2023, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/54 "2023-01-01T19:51:21Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > As lessons go, $250 isn’t bad. As with all things, this is relative. For me and family, that is a week of food, or a car payment. Hell for some people i know, that could turn into 500 real quick with late fees, or one couple I know, it might be losing the apt, as they may not be able to catch up. $250.00 is a real harsh lesson. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2023, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/55 "2023-01-01T20:29:38Z")
I think that depends more on the locality than the state - I live in a city that plows around the parked cars and the owners will have to dig them out later. But in the surrounding suburbs, where all the houses have driveways, there are parking restrictions- some combination of no parking on the street when it snows and/or no overnight street parking during certain months. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2023, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/56 "2023-01-01T20:33:10Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > As lessons go, $250 isn’t bad. What is the lesson? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2023, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/57 "2023-01-01T20:35:59Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > Every snowy state I’ve lived in, they just plow the part people drive in and everyone then digs their car out. that’s true of a public roadway unless you move it. But in a private parking lot it makes it impossible for a plow to clear the parking spaces. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2023, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/58 "2023-01-01T20:41:06Z")
As with everything, it varies by location. Here are the City of Chicago regulations: “In order to ensure that the most critical roadways in Chicago are kept open to full capacity at all times, the City of Chicago instituted and vigorously enforces a Winter Overnight Parking Ban on 107 miles of vital arterial streets from 3 am to 7 am between December 1st and April 1st, regardless of snow.” “A separate snow related parking ban exists for another 500 miles of main streets and can be activated after there are at least two inches of snow on the street, no matter the time of day or the calendar date.” ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2023, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/59 "2023-01-01T21:02:03Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > But in a private parking lot it makes it impossible for a plow to clear the parking spaces. My condo just plows the part for driving and we dig out our cars when it’s convenient. Same as the city with the street. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2023, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256/60 "2023-01-01T22:28:38Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > > [@Magiver](#): > > > > As lessons go, $250 isn’t bad. > > What is the lesson? Do not sign a lease that includes a requirement to move your car after it snows then leave town for several days in the winter without making reliable arrangements to comply with your obligations. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-scammed-by-his-apartment-complex/977256.md?page=4)