What to do when someone illegally parks in your parking spot?

Hey guys,

I found out that someone has been sneakily parking in my spot while I go to work. I live in an apartment building and have complained to the building manager but he just said there's nothing much he can do about it as it's not part of his jurisdiction. I have since stuck a note on my parking area saying "Private parking," to fend off the driver but he has continued to park at my area. Any suggestions to get rid of this person? Cheers.

Comments

    • +137

      yup they parked there while I'm at work. It's a problem because I paid for the parking spot and he didn't. It's like when you go to work and nobody's at home so someone decided to cosy up there during the duration that you're at work. So yes it's a problem

      • +9

        Hi Op,

        Just get 2 business cards from your local tow truck driver.

        Tape it to his windscreen with a hand written message.

        Call this number if your car isn't here next time!

        That should do the trick!

        It shows that you have already started preparation if they park there again.

        They known it's not their spot and at least you have given them the number of the Towie in advance!!!

    • +49

      It IS a problem - Where would OP park if he decided to come home early from work one day?

      It'll be a complete inconvenience, particularly if the OP lived in the CBD or an area where it's metered and limited-timed street parking everywhere for most of the day.

        • +58

          Doesn't really matter who's using the spot - whether it's a disabled person or even the queen.

          It is not a public parking spot and the person who is paying for the spot should not be made to feel guilty for having the expectation that his/her spot is to be available for use whenever they need it.

          (PS - A social worker driving a legitimately disabled neighbour would have a Disabled Parking permit and they'd then likely park in the nearest street parking spot closest to the front door of the apartment block. I don't have anything against disabled people. They are human too, which means that they also need to be considerate of other people!)

        • +6

          Then the polite thing for the social worker to do is to ask, particularly if this was an every day occurance. In fact, I'm pretty sure OP would be okay with someone parking there if they actually asked first. It's just common decency when you are using someone elses stuff.

          But OP: Just take it easy for now, leave them a note asking them to contact you. Don't do anything drastic like the others are suggesting, as you never know who that person is or what they will do to your car (or to you).

        • +13

          @tonka: Don't you think you got enough -ve votes ?

        • +3

          @tonka:

          The (profanity) is your logic.

        • +1

          Read between the lines mate, read between the lines. The post conveys what the OP wants to say.

        • +18

          @tonka: Tonka, stop parking in his spot!

        • +9

          @DisabledUser68451: Rip Tonka.

        • +5

          "24-hours limit for voting negative on comments is currently capped at 5"

          I don't think ive ever used all 5 on one person in one thread! I'll be back tomorrow to continue

        • @DisabledUser68451:
          Another one bites the dust.

        • -4

          @skimmermilk:

          "24-hours limit for voting negative on comments is currently capped at 5"

          I don't think ive ever used all 5 on one person in one thread! I'll be back tomorrow to continue

          @KBZ:

          Another one bites the dust.

          @noodlesfordaddy:

          was he banned or did he delete his account after realising he is in fact, retarded?

          Rather than gang up on and bully one user it would behoove you to consider that there is a real life person behind each account.

          See: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/197655

        • -2

          @Scrooge McDuck:

          Now the we live in an oppressive left wing society, targeting just 3 people out of a forum of 100 is a form of bullying and Harassment.

          Contrary to what the left wing, bleeding hearts believe, abuse and bullying goes both ways, with the passive aggressive approach you took being the most destructive.

          As per the forum rules, i have every right to upvote or downvote, a comment or opinion, without being bullied, harassed or vilified.

          Considering you have great concerns for the poster and that the down votes are nearing 200, can i suggest raising your concerns with the administrators and not bullying 3 real human beings.

        • @skimmermilk:

          targeting just 3 people out of a forum of 100 is a form of bullying and Harassment.

          I targeted 3 people who were ganging up on tonka (and we have far more than 100 people on this forum). That isn't bullying or harassment.

        • -4

          @Scrooge McDuck:

          How dare you tell me that i am not feeling bullied and harassed. yes you are bullying and harassing me and continue to do so. is it because i'm a white male or perhaps its because of my likes and interests?

          Again, im unsure why you are targeting just me and two others when the whole forum is littered with comments that are clearly 'worse' yet the moderators have deemed them acceptable as they haven't been removed.

          Again, if you have a problem with me or my comments, report it to the moderators, instead of taking the matter into your own hands to harass me when im posting comments within the rules

        • @Scrooge McDuck:

          Hardly bullying more or less stating a fact. But noted or whatever.

    • Are you parking in op's spot?

  • +73

    Piss in front window vent.

      • +11

        Sometimes that's what it takes to get the message though the thick head of stupid and selfish people.

        • +8

          @tonka: Only a "special" person would have taken that suggestion so seriously ;)

        • +3

          @tonka:

          Fish sauce it

        • +6

          @tonka: yeah, thought so. It's along the same level of response I'd expect when I would ask 'siri' the same thing.

        • +14

          @supnigs: Actually, I'm just gonna retire from the forums here, life's too short to deal with the insults of strangers.

        • +2

          @tonka: I think you just need take a breather :).

        • +9

          @supnigs: Siri, what should I do about someone parking in my space? "I see you are living in Australia. Piss in their air vents and then crack open a VB. Rinse and repeat."

        • +4

          @tonka: Your first post in this thread comes across as very condescending. I'd say that is where a lot of the insults came from.

        • -1

          @tonka: Good on you. Go back and return to your tonka truck toy!

        • @DisabledUser68451: you seem to like to provoke people in your "responses"

      • +1

        @Tonka…Hmm… Isss that you…?

        • +3

          Hmmm. Completely agree!
          This doesn't sound like the same Tonka who helped Zarcady (who was stuck at the airport)?
          And why is the disableduser completely greyed out?

        • @mmd:

          The account was disabled.

        • +1

          @mmd: Did he?
          Different situation brings different person sometimes. I think he wanted to convey that if OP is not the spot in the morning, why does it matter to him that much.
          But human nature is that we feel jealous and annoyed when someone gets a free ride for what we have paid.

          BTW, why was his user disabled?

        • @KBZ:

          life's too short to deal with the insults of strangers.

          I don't get it, he came across as slightly aggressive in his comments then cries victim.
          Wasn't he a frequent forum/ozbargain user?

    • +10

      Squeeze lots of prawn juice in there, will be a lot smellier than piss.

      • +9

        Marinate some prawns in piss for 24 hours

        • +7

          Marinade some prawns in bikie piss for 24 hours

        • -1

          @jackary:just get bikies to piss on th car whilst eating prawn and seafood sauce then maybe number twos come along.

        • @jackary:

          Hmmm, dirty bikie speed piss.

  • +22

    You can invest on these things if you want. The one with remote control is 350+gst though….

    bollards

    • That's genius but way overpriced

      • Make your own? I can probably make one but only a manual….the remote model might need some more expertise…

    • +2

      Plenty of manual ones available for a reasonable price, it just requires you to get out of the car and padlock it as you come and go. http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/items/?_nkw=parking+bollard+barri…

    • +12

      is that a fail? lol

      https://snag.gy/PDyKhu.jpg

      • +3

        Lol, I suppose if that person has a mini or a smart car…..get 2?

    • i like this idea, but a manual option will do.. and cheaper (or make it)

  • +7

    It should be part of his jurisdiction. It was with my apartment block (i.e. the body corporate intervened).

    Unfortunately since its private property lots of things can't be done. In the end signs were put up saying cars may be towed. AFAIK can't just tow the car yourself.

    I rarely used my carparking space (like once a fortnight at the most) so often found people parking in my lot. Thankfully usually only took one note on the windscreen for them to stop (i.e. move onto someone else's lot).

    It might become a pain for you too, if you are even allowed to do it, but what about installing your own bollard over the lot? There are ones available which don't require much to install.

  • +6

    What about the police or can any legal action be taken? I've tried the body corporate and they said they can't do anything bout it which I think sounds like they're just being lazy

    • +2

      You can ask the police but they will generally wave it off and ask you to contact the body corp.

    • +5

      Have you left a note on their window?
      Just politely ask them not to park there.

      The second offence would get the warning on their windshield, written in lipstick.

      The third offence… well, now its open season.
      But you may as well just get a Bollard at this point.

      PS… its not your partner or something right, we're talking about a persistent stranger?

      • +1

        PS… its not your partner or something right, we're talking about a persistent stranger?

        Nek minnit… OP learns their partner has a 'guest' over every time OP is at work…

        :(

    • Get your parking space to take out an intervention order on their car.

    • +4

      Your body corporate is odd. Mine actually got together and passed a motion that 3 warnings (second or 3 they stick a really annoying adhesive sticker to the offenders door). Since the BM would check license plate to apartment owners after 3 warnings we fined them some small amount that we could according to by laws. Anything higher and that went to gov it worked. I think last option was towing but it never got to that.

    • +16

      Find out where the body corporate car parks are and park there.

      If they say anything, just say its a pity you cant do anything about it…

  • +1

    Is it secured parking (eg. with swipe card access)?
    You can nail them for illegal entry

    • +5

      Yes it is. Which puzzles me how they managed to get in. My suspicion is that this person is a construction worker working around my building area as they are currently building things. Either that or he works in the building or is one cheapskate resident who parks at other people's spots. Please tell me the procedures of what I can do. Thanks.

      • +2

        I think you can report to the police as trespassers.
        Get some cctv footage from your building manager when he's entering the building to support your case.

        • Took a photo of him with his plate does that count?

        • +1

          @dimmak84: Not really… You need to be able to prove that he enters the building "unauthorized".

        • @cimot: What if he has access legally but is parking illegally… or how can I convince the building manager to show me CC footage. What can I use as my rights to make him move his ass and do his job?

        • @dimmak84: Good point, you can take a photo of the car parking on your spot too.
          Even better, see if there's a camera pointing to your car space.

          By the way this makes me thinking, if you're paying for a car space. Can't you just terminate the lease, and get another car space…
          Let the owner deal with the trespassers.

        • @cimot: cause I live in a rental property and then I have to find another parking spot which is a hassle. Another spot might charge me more and that's something I'm not gonna waste my time all for that driver.

        • +1

          @dimmak84: Ok… Is the parking spot assigned to YOUR name i.e, you(dimmak84) are assigned parking spot 3…

          OR do you just pay for rent + a parking spot and that is the one you always take and someone else (possibly another resident) uses it for whatever reason when you're not there??

        • @dimmak84:

          Try your landlord instead of the building manager.

        • @knick007: Normally in apartment buildings you're assigned a spot. So if you live at 93/100 OZB St, you get spot 93.

        • @ilikeradiohead: Right that's what I figured. So in that case leave a note under the wiper asking them not to park there.

          If they don't move then talk to the building manager. The police won't and shouldn't need to do anything.

      • +35

        This is a matter for your body corporate manager, they are obliged to assist you. Typically a car space is noted on your title as a subsidiary of your unit, similar to a balcony. If someone was sleeping on your balcony every night this would be clearly unacceptable, someone parking in your car space every day is no different. You own the space, you pay levies for its maintenance, upkeep, rates etc - no one should park there except you. Its more than likely a girlfriend/boyfriend of another tenant - its best not to cause trouble with your neighbours (you never know if you will develop an allergy to washing powder one day and need their assistance) When you pay a management company to resolve such matters, encourage them to resolve such matters.

      • it should be against the bylaws because it is infringing on your ability to use your own lot. So you should document each time then report to the building manager after a couple of time with the same car, tell the EC to issue a breach of by-law, if still happening issue more notice after that the EC can lodge to fine them up to $550 for breaching by-laws through the tribunal. That fine is legally binding. But this would be a fair bit of work on your part to get the EC to do it, as it probably isn't a priority for them.

      • I used to have this problem at where I'm staying. The building manager was telling us that we can report this to the police as this is trespassing of private property. The police should then issue a fine.

      • Either that or he works in the building or is one cheapskate resident who parks at other people's spots.

        Happened in my apartment in Melbourne. It was one of the residents in my building. I told the concierge and they told the resident to not do it again. Mind you, that didn't stop them…

  • +23

    slash tyres or bikies

    • +10

      buys popcorn at this important juncture.

      • +5

        And pour them into his exhaust pipe. Not a bad idea, will make him think about it the second time you do it.

        • +3

          And pour them into his exhaust pipe

          The popcorn or the bikies?

        • I thought the traditional means was sugar in the gas tank?

    • +1

      Geez, he may as-well pop the fuel tank lid/cap and pout in some sugar……

    • Replace "or" with "and", both at the same time.

  • +22

    Drop a few nails/screws when you leave.

    Tip: Don't forget to pick them up again when you arrive.

  • +9

    Get back early with a couple of trolley jacks or wheel dollys. Move it out of ur spot and make it a body corp issue

    • +3

      I guess if he's polite but the offender is still an ass, that's an option.

      He could jack up the car, and suspend it up with bricks.
      But I think it might be illegal. Maybe.

    • +2

      Two axle stands, set them to a height that just raises the driving wheels (front or rear depending on car) above the ground and they aren't obviously visible when the driver returns to the car. Sit back and watch the severe confusion as the driver tries to leave and gets nowhere.

      (for the humour challenged, this is just a silly suggestion, but one that would still be entertaining)

      • I would definitely notice if the driving wheels of my car were raised off the ground. The car would have a significant tilt that is very obvious from the outside and when you are sitting inside.

        I guess it's humorous in a 1950s Bugs Bunny cartoon sort of way.

  • +10

    Let air out of his tires. Report it to ACA/TT.

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