Towing from a housing association or condominium

Two lawful routes

1. Police or the Norwegian Public Roads Administration may remove vehicles under section 37 of the Road Traffic Act, but in practice prioritise emergencies, snow clearing and traffic obstruction.
2. A registered parking operator may remove a vehicle under Chapter 8 of the Parking Regulations. This is the usual route on common private land.

The association must not tow, block or punish the owner itself; doing so can create liability.

Three conditions before removal

1. The vehicle is an obstruction and breaches the parking terms. The obstruction condition does not apply to an accessible bay.
2. The driver or owner has been given an attempt at warning and a reasonable time to move it.
3. The signs state where the driver can obtain information about the vehicle.

Immediate removal is appropriate only where the urgency is real.

Who pays?

• For lawful removal, the owner pays removal and storage costs.
• Costs do not accrue before the owner knows, or should know, of removal.
• The vehicle must be released even if the removal charge is unpaid; it cannot be retained as security.
• For unjustified removal, the parking operator is liable for the loss.

If your vehicle was removed, collect it, document the location, signs and warning, then appeal to the operator and, if necessary, the Parking Complaints Board.