Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California
When your vehicle gets repossesed, is it legal for the towing/storage facility to charge you to access the vehicle for your personal belongings?
2 Answers from Attorneys
No. They have to give them to you (what they didn't steal). This could be an unfair debt collection practice.
Not a "real estate and real property" question, but I think I may know the answer. Towing and storage facility charges for "involuntary" storage of unregistered, abandoned, etc. vehicles are set by the city or county. This may apply to repossessed vehicles as well. I would suggest you, or a friend, call the facility and ask the management whether their charges are set by the city (or county) where the facility is located. Then, you can contact the city (or county) and try to find someone who can look in the ordinances and see what fee is set by ordinance for that service. The ordinances are also probably available on line.