Council removed our road worthy/legal car from our car park.

photome

If it was me, i would want more than just the car back.

At the very least the cost of the all the phone calls and any other incidental costs

real1314

They haven't "broken any laws" as such, but that doesn't mean that the decision they made and the action they took were not "wrong in law", which is subtly different.
I'd go after them for compo, although as the vehicle was not being used, you can't really claim for loss of use, really you can only go for the incovenience of having to faff about to get the car back - maybe ask for £50 tops?

cheapscate

My council also didn't follow their own policy and procedures, I made a complaint through their own complaint procedure. They refused to admit they had done anything wrong. I appealed the decision and still they refused to admit their wrong doings. At that point I was able to refer the whole thing to the local govt. ombudsman who dealt with my complaint quickly - the ombudsman upheld my original complaint and awarded a payment to me from my council for the inconvenience they had caused (and criticised them!..very satisfying!..) So don't be put off complaining about what has happened to you even if the council insists it was in the right!

nickismee

Thanks cheapscate, a very interesting read.

Since my last post, we still do not have the car back. The removal company are waiting on a letter from the council saying they will be paying the costs. So nearly a week after being told we can go pick our car up, we still don't have it. Im just glad its not me paying the fines.. its been there for 2 weeks now, £20 a day storage and £150 removal fee!!!

Murielson

Ask your solicitor for advice re compensation and make sure that the official who has denied responsibility is aware that you are looking for some sort of compensation regarding loss of use of the vehicle, costs and stress etc.

I personally would now be looking for a bored local newspaper reporter who needs a story for this week.

It is very important that these organisations realise that it costs less to do things correctly than to get it wrong. Am not normally in favour of compensation etc but they have brought it on themselves and hopefully someone might think twice about the bill before putting another unsuspecting motorist through this.

If nothing else I hope you at least get enough to sort your broken window out. If not try the local breakers as shouldn't cost too much.

daska

So, even if the council have acted lawfully in removing the car they've wasted taxpayers money in waiving the fees? I think not, they have to demonstrate that they are not wasting money when they get audited...

And now they're wasting further monies by not acting...