Towing Cars Parked on Private Property in Melbourne: What You Need to Know

I. Introduction

Towing vehicles that have been parked on private land can be a challenging endeavour, particularly when one considers the laws and regulations that govern the practise. When it comes to the process of towing cars that have been parked on private property in Melbourne, there are specific criteria that must be observed.

This blog post will cover everything you need to know about towing cars parked on private property in Melbourne, including the laws and regulations, how to get a car towed, and what to do if your car has been towed. This information includes the laws and regulations, how to get a car towed, and what to do if your car has been towed.

This post will provide you with the necessary information to navigate this complex issue. Whether you are a property owner looking to remove an unauthorised vehicle from your property or a car owner concerned about the safety of your parked vehicle, this post will provide you with the information you need.

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s get into the specifics of how towing cars parked on private land in Melbourne works.

II. The Legalities of Towing Cars on Private Property

In Melbourne, there is a lot of controversy over the practise of towing cars that are parked on private land. Towing a vehicle that is parked on private property is subject to a different set of legal requirements and processes than towing a vehicle that is parked on a public street.

Private property owners in Melbourne have the legal right to regulate their properties, which includes the ability to decide whether or not they will allow visitors to park on their land. The owners of private property have the right to haul away any vehicles that are illegally parked on their land, but they are obligated to follow all applicable laws and regulations.

If a vehicle is parked on private property in Melbourne, the Victorian Government requires the property owner to have a towing permission in order to be able to tow the vehicle. A towing authorization is a formal agreement between a property owner and a towing business that gives the company permission to tow vehicles parked on the property. This agreement gives the company the authority to tow vehicles.

The authority that is responsible for towing the car is obligated to provide an explanation for why the vehicle is being towed, as well as the location, duration, and associated costs of the tow. To guarantee that they are complying with the law at all times, the towing business must follow the protocols that are outlined in the towing authority.

It is important to note that it is regarded an illegal practise to tow a car that is parked on private property without having a towing authority. If this occurs, the owner of the land could be held accountable for damages or penalties. When it comes to the process of towing cars that have been parked on private land, it is vital to follow with the legal requirements and procedures.

III. The Circumstances in Which a Car Can Be Towed

Under certain conditions, the law in Melbourne permits private property owners to have vehicles parked on their land taken away. The following are the most typical types of situations:

It is impossible to enter a private road or driveway because the vehicle is parked in a way that prevents entrance to the road.

The vehicle is parked in such a way that it poses a threat to public safety, such as by obstructing a fire hydrant or remaining on the road when there is a snow emergency.

On private property, the vehicle is parked illegally without the owner’s permission.

The vehicle has been left parked for an excessive amount of time in a manner that does not adhere to the property’s laws or covenants, or it has been abandoned.

Before the vehicle is towed, the owner of the vehicle should be provided with a reasonable amount of warning and the opportunity to retrieve their vehicle. This is a crucial point to keep in mind. While towing the vehicle, the owner of the property is required to follow a number of specified procedures, such as informing the relevant governmental authorities and submitting a written report regarding the towing.

If the owner of the vehicle disagrees with the decision to tow it, they may be entitled to sue for damages or contest the decision in court. The owner of the vehicle, on the other hand, is the one who is responsible for providing evidence that the towing was carried out in a manner that violated the law.

In order to avoid any potential legal conflicts or financial fines, it is vital for property owners as well as car owners to have a solid understanding of the conditions under which a vehicle can be towed from private land.

IV. The Process of Towing a Car on Private Property

If you have the legal right to tow a car parked on your private property, there are a few things you need to know about the process. Towing a car can be complicated, and it’s important to understand the steps involved.

Post Signs: Before you tow a car, you need to post signs in a visible location on your property that warn drivers that unauthorized cars will be towed. The signs must be clear and conspicuous and include the phone number of the towing company.

Contact a Towing Company: Once the signs are posted, you can contact a towing company to remove the car. It’s important to choose a reputable company that is licensed and insured.

Wait for the Tow Truck: When the tow truck arrives, the driver will inspect the car to ensure it’s the correct vehicle and that it’s parked illegally. If everything checks out, the driver will hook the car up to the tow truck.

Document the Tow: Before the car is towed away, you should take photos of the car and make note of its make, model, and license plate number. This will help you in case of any disputes later on.

Pay for the Tow: You will be responsible for paying the towing company for their services. The cost of towing a car can vary depending on the distance it needs to be towed, as well as any additional fees such as storage fees.

Retrieve Personal Items: If there are any personal items in the car, the driver will usually allow you to retrieve them before the car is towed away.

By following these steps, you can ensure that the process of towing a car parked on your private property is done legally and efficiently.

V. The Cost of Towing a Car on Private Property

When a car needs to be towed from private property, the cost of doing so can vary significantly depending on the towing business that is used and the particulars of the problem that need to be handled. Towing a vehicle off of a person’s private property can cost anywhere from $150 to $300 on average in the city of Melbourne.

When it comes to private property, the cost of towing a vehicle can be affected by a variety of factors, including the time of day, distance travelled, the kind of tow truck that is necessary, and any additional expenses, such as impound fees.

It is essential to keep in mind that the charge for towing the vehicle is typically the responsibility of the owner of the vehicle. However, depending on the circumstances, the owner of the property may be responsible for paying the towing cost if they have arranged for the vehicle in question to be towed due to a breach of the parking laws that they have in place.

Checking with the towing business to see if they have any additional expenses, such as storage fees, administration fees, or other fees associated with the service, is another crucial step to do.

By adhering to parking restrictions and ensuring that vehicles are not parked in places where they are likely to be towed, drivers can, in general, cut down on the expense of having a vehicle removed from private property or completely avoid incurring that penalty entirely.

VI. What to Do If Your Car Has Been Towed on Private Property

It is common for the discovery that your vehicle has been towed from private property to be an upsetting and nerve-wracking situation. Yet, there are things you can do to improve your chances of getting your vehicle back.

Initially, you should make an effort to figure out the reason why your car was towed. The towing firm may have been within their legal rights to take your vehicle if you parked illegally on the property or violated any of the laws or regulations that are in place there. But, if you consider that your vehicle was towed unfairly or for no valid reason, you can talk to the owner of the property or the management about the matter.

After you have discovered the reason for the towing, the next step is to find where your vehicle is being stored. A note detailing where your automobile was taken should have been placed on the property by the towing firm after it towed your vehicle. After that, you can get in touch with the towing business to have your vehicle retrieved. You should be aware that in most cases, you will be required to produce identification that you are the owner of the vehicle as well as pay any expenses associated with the towing and storage of your vehicle.

There is a possibility that you have legal alternatives open to you if you consider that your vehicle was towed in an unfair or illegal manner. To assess whether or not you have a legal case, it is strongly suggested that you confer with a legal professional who concentrates on the rules governing vehicle impoundment.

When parking on private land, it is imperative that you always follow the rules and regulations to the letter in order to reduce the likelihood of having your vehicle hauled away. If your vehicle has been towed, you should take the required procedures to retrieve it and address any underlying issues that may have contributed to the occurrence so that it does not happen again.

VII. Conclusion

Towing a vehicle that is parked on private land in Melbourne is permitted, but the towing must comply with certain regulations and take place under certain conditions. It is necessary for the owner of the property to have the legal authority to tow the vehicle, as is the case in situations involving trespassing or illegal parking. In addition, the person who operates the tow truck is responsible for adhering to a set of regulations, such as notifying the owner of the vehicle in a timely manner and ensuring that the vehicle is not damaged while it is being towed.

When parking on private property, it is imperative for vehicle owners to be informed of the rights and obligations that pertain to them in order to avoid having their vehicles towed. When it comes to towing cars on their land, property owners have an additional responsibility to ensure that they comply with the law and follow the appropriate procedures.

In the event that your vehicle has been towed, it is imperative that you act quickly and get in touch with the property owner or the person operating the tow truck in order to retrieve your vehicle. The longer you delay, the higher the possibility that you may wind up spending in terms of towing and storage expenses.

In the end, having an awareness of the rules and processes involved in the process of towing cars parked on private property can help both the owners of the cars and the owners of the property avoid excessive costs and legal difficulties.