Roommate takes woman’s spare car keys without permission, moves her car so friend can use her parking spot, gets it towed and leaves her with the $909 bill: ‘They didn’t even offer to help’

Author image for Cata Holmes
Cata Holmes • Writer
Aug 13, 2026 8:45 PM EDT

Borrowing someone's parking spot is one thing, but moving their car without permission and getting it towed is another.

Coming home from vacation to a $909 bill was definitely not the welcome she expected. While she was away, her roommate entered her bedroom, grabbed her spare keys, and moved her car so a visiting friend could have the prime parking spot. The car ended up in a tow-away zone, but when she returned, neither of them volunteered to cover the cost of their mistake.

I disagree with the OP here: I would never let anyone touch my car. I understand that she left for vacation and told one of the girls that she could use it, and it seemed she was very careful with it and even helped her file a police report so the woman could enjoy her vacation in peace. However, things got out of hand whenever the other roommate decided to take the car and move it so her friend could use that parking spot.

The car got towed and ended up costing $909 to get it back, which is an insane number if you ask me. The worst part? None of the roommates decided to help with the bill, leaving the writer with nothing but tears and a lot of money missing from her account. When things like this happen, the person who is responsible for the mistake should be the one covering the cost.

The community in r/AITAH suggested that she should demand the money from them to cover this huge bill, because it was not her fault that one of the roommates decided to take the spare keys and move the car without hesitation or question. Also, this comes down to respecting others' privacy and personal belongings. No one should be touching others' things without permission because things can escalate and end like this.

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  • Stressed woman sits at home after discovering her car was towed and she was left responsible for a $909 bill.
    via Unsplash+ (via Getty Images)

    Stressed woman sits at home after discovering her car was towed and she was left responsible for a $909 bill.

    Individual pictured is a model used for illustrative purposes.

  • I was recently traveling for two weeks and left my car parked directly outside of my apartment.
    via acrogirl84

  • We already know this is going to be expensive...

    For reference, I live in San Francisco so parking is notoriously difficult. I left it in a spot I knew was safe. I told a different roomate she could use my car if she needed it, but I did not give permission to this roomate to move or use my car.
    via acrogirl84
  • Someone hit and dented my car within the first few days of the trip but fortunately a kind stranger got their license plate info and car description. This roomate did file an insurance claim for me so I could
    via acrogirl84

  • Okay... this is nice!

    fully enjoy my vacation, which was very helpful. I ended up following up on the claim and learned that I would need to get a police report if I wanted the other parties insurance
    via acrogirl84

  • Mmm... think again.

    to be accountable. I planned to file the report as soon as I returned home, and obviously assumed my car would be where I left it in the spot where it got hit.
    via acrogirl84
  • The day I was returning from my trip, happened to be a big music festival in the city. My roommates friend was staying at our apartment for the weekend- and they decided to move
    via acrogirl84

  • Oh no!! I cannot believe they didn't realized it was a towing zone.

    my car so she could take my parking spot that is conveniently right in front of my apartment. They moved it to a tow away zone and it got
    via acrogirl84

  • OMG!! VERY expensive ticket.

    towed. The cost was $909 and I was already completely overwhelmed and stressed due to flight cancellations.
    via acrogirl84
  • I came to them crying saying I couldn't afford their mistake and they didn't even offer to help. I'm from the East Coast, so I despise the classic California performative
    via acrogirl84
  • niceness. They are just like "we're so sorry (hope it gets better for you". Mind you, it's literally my birthday. I decided to be direct and ask them to cover it.
    via acrogirl84
  • I want to add that they never notified me they were going to move my car or that it was moved until after it was already towed. She just went into my room and got my spare keys. I need a third party unbiased opinion because I feel like they are gaslighting me.
    via acrogirl84

  • Of course you're not! They should be paying for their mistake.

    AITAH? They did not offer to help me go get it out of the tow lot, I took public transportation. I've already picked the car up and put it on my card. Text thread in comments since this sub doesn't allow screenshots:
    via acrogirl84
  • Car being loaded onto a tow truck after being moved from its parking spot without the owner’s permission.
    via Unsplash+ (via fr0ggy5)

    Car being loaded onto a tow truck after being moved from its parking spot without the owner's permission.

    Photo is a representation of scenes.

  • As always, some Redditors got very defensive and suggested that the OP should sue the roommate and her friend for touching things they don't own, as well as not being responsible for their mistake. The rest of them agreed that both of them should be responsible for their decision and pay the OP back.

  • fuzzy_mic The person who parked the car in the tow away zone is responsible for your costs resulting from the tow. ΝΤΑ
    via acrogirl84
  • After-Resident-9466 Small claims court exists for a reason.
    via acrogirl84
  • Proud-Geek1019 Sue them. They had no permission to use, much less move, your vehicle.
    via acrogirl84
  • Careless-Ability-748 nta it's their fault it was towed
    via acrogirl84
  • alternatego1 The parking ticket would've been less than the tow....
    via acrogirl84
  • SuccessfulAd4606 Obviously NTA, they should pay for the towing charges, they parked it in a tow-away zone. What planet are they from?
    via acrogirl84
  • Impressive Moment786 NTA-but your roommates are.
    via acrogirl84
  • Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, where difficult parking and expensive towing turned a roommate dispute into a costly ordeal.
    via Unsplash+ (via Rockwell branding agency)

    Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, where difficult parking and expensive towing turned a roommate dispute into a costly ordeal.

    Licensed media provided as editorial context.

  • vaisatriani ΝΤΑ. They owe you for the tow, period. End of story. Take them to small claims court if necessary.
    via acrogirl84
  • ToughStufff Small Claims Court. They done messed up.
    via acrogirl84
  • TNJDude They moved your car, without your permission, to a place that got it towed. Yes, they are responsible for the towing fees. NTA.
    via acrogirl84

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car towing bad roommates towing california roommates
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