Can a Repo Man Open a Closed Gate to Repossess Your Car?

If you’re behind on your car payments, you may be worried about a repo man coming to take your vehicle. One common question is whether a repo man can enter a closed gate to access your car. The answer depends on the specific laws in your state and the circumstances of your situation.

Laws Vary by State

Though laws vary by state, in most situations, a repo man can’t legally enter a locked gate or other locked property to access a vehicle unless he has permission from the property owner. This means that a repo man can’t repossess your car if it’s inside a closed garage, fully enclosed fence, or other completely closed-off, private area. In most states, using physical force to cut a lock or chain or otherwise damaging property is considered a breach of the peace. Repo men are not allowed to do anything that counts as trespassing or breaching the peace to get to your vehicle.

Repo Men’s Legal Options

Although the repossession laws generally block repossession agents from taking certain actions, they still have plenty of legal opportunities to repossess your vehicle. For example, a repo agent may legally enter your yard, driveway, or other private property if nothing is blocking their access. If you drive your car to work, a grocery store, or any other publicly accessible destination, it could be repossessed.

Also, even though a repossession agent can’t enter a locked fence or closed garage, in most cases, they may legally enter an unlocked gate or even an open garage. Depending on your circumstances, attempting to hide your car all the time could become exhausting. Worse, if your car ends up getting repossessed, the creditor will usually add the cost of the repossession agency’s extra time onto your loan balance, leaving you with a deficit to pay even after the repo action.