Barricaded car2go battle ends between Seattle property owner, Share Now

SEATTLE — A battle between car2go and a Queen Anne landlord is over.

A landlord was upset that a car was illegally parked in his driveway near Sixth Avenue North and Halladay Street in the Queen Anne neighborhood. The property owner built a barricade around the car.

>> RELATED: Seattle property owner holding illegally parked Car to Go vehicle hostage, demanding payment

Metal posts were used to create the barricade.

The car had been left by a customer May 17, creating the conflict that lasted about three weeks.

The property owner, Dan Smith, wanted Share Now, the company that operates car2go, to pay $65 a day for vehicle storage fees, $300 for the barricade and up to $500 for what he calls harassment fees. Smith said his renter, Asad Rasheed, has been bothered and even cursed at multiple times from car2go customers who wanted to get the car out of the driveway.

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Rasheed told KIRO 7 both he and Mr. Smith are frustrated because this is not the first time car-share vehicles have parked in their driveway.

“People are not made aware of where to park, where not to park and how to use them,” said Rasheed. “This is a common occurrence. This happens once a month, once every two months. You see cars parked there.”

When KIRO 7 reached out to Share Now, the company said according to its records, on May 18, one day after the vehicle was left in Smith's driveway, seven car2go customers tried to rent the vehicle but they could not get to the car because a barricade was put up.

They also said they had sent their fleet vendors out to remove the car several times but the workers didn’t feel comfortable removing the barricade to get the car.

It took a lawyer getting involved, but now Smith and Share Now have reached a settlement.

Smith said. “I’m relieved. It’s just nice to have it over with, you know. And I think everybody, they grew and learned, and that’s the important thing.”

Smith told KIRO 7 he backed off on some of his payment demands but Share Now did cover the cost of the fence and he’s not out any money.

Share Now sent a statement, saying that they’re pleased they reached a resolution with the property owner, and that “Share Now would like to remind our members that we have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to the unauthorized parking of our vehicles. And we will continue to hold members who are found doing so accountable.”

Smith told us he plans to install some tow warning signs and, if it happens again, that’s the route he going to take.

Cox Media Group