HOW YOU CAN HELP
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Become familiar with the latest legislation regarding this issue (it's good news for some of us):
DO YOU LIVE IN AN APT COMPLEX AND WAS THE TOWING DONE AT THAT LOCATION? YOUR MANAGERS HAVE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS RE: NOTIFYING YOU OF RATES FOR POTENTIAL TOWING ON THEIR PROPERTY. READ THIS:
Senate Bills 116 and 431 (signed into law in 2007) are designed to put an end in Oregon to predatory towing, a practice which is illegal in California and Washington. SB 116 was sponsored by Attny General Hardy Meyers and SB 431 was sponsored by Senator Avel Gordly (I-Portland). SB 431 requires landlords, who want a vehicle removed from the premises without notice to the owner, to have a written tenant agreement that includes the use of parking stickers and describes rules concerning guest parking. Landlords also must display signs that include contact information for any hired towing company. It also prohibits the landlord from towing an inoperable vehicle without 72-hour prior notice
PURPOSE OF SENATE BILL 116 (the following text appears on http://www.doj.state.or.us/releases/2007/rel062507.shtml)
Senate Bill 116 requires that towers disclose to a vehicle owner in writing information such as: the prices charged for goods and services, location of where the vehicle will be towed or stored, contact information for the tower, and methods of payment accepted. The bill allows opportunity for personal property of an emergency nature, including credit cards and checkbooks, child safety car and booster seats, and prescription medicine, to be retrieved from the towed vehicle.
Towers are prohibited from soliciting business within 1,000 feet of a motor vehicle collision unless otherwise allowed through previously negotiated tow-auto service club agreements, or parking within 1,000 feet of a parking facility to monitor for potential business. Some exceptions apply, including instances in which posted signs clearly state the hours that the parking facility is monitored.
The Attorney General is authorized by SB 116 to enforce most provisions under the state's Unlawful Trade Practices Act, in which civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation can be pursued in state court.
READ THIS!!!
WHAT IS YOUR LANDLORD'S RESPONSIBILITY?
A landlord who has an ongoing arrangement
with a towing business for vehicle removal services on the rental
property shall provide a tenant with written information
prominently stating the towing business name, contact
information, fees and charges. The landlord shall provide the
information to the tenant no later than the beginning date for
the tenancy. If the landlord learns that any of the towing
business information provided to a tenant has changed, the
landlord shall provide the tenant with updated written
information no later than 10 days after the landlord learns of
the change. Gleaned directly from the following:
