Landlord has former tenants car towed

[lytho13]

Hello.

Is it legal for a former landlord to tow and hold the car of a former tenant in an attempt to collect debt? The car was parked at the tenant's new residence and no notification was provided of outstanding rental payment.

 

[presutin]

Has a police report been filed reporting the car missing? Where is the car being held? Once police is notified, consult with an attorney.

 

[lytho13]

The police have been notified. Is this illegal for the landlord to do? The tenant has been out of the property for 3 months and there was no notification of outstanding payment. That aside, I am not sure if a landlord can just have someone's property seized like that.

 

[Theresagail]

It is Illegal unless the landlord is a lein holder on the car-- it is called theft

 

[lytho13]

Oh, and the car is being held at a tow company in Worcester and they will not release the car without 4k.

 

[lytho13]

Thank you - I thought this sounded very shady.

 

[Theresagail]

Report the car stolen