What can you do when people constantly park in your parking spot at your apt. building?

Question

At the Apt building where I have lived for 3 years, about 4 out of 7 days, people have been parking in my spot, I have asked to be assigned at different spot, but have been told that spot goes with my apt. so no is the answer there, I have been told to call the manager when this problem happens and which I have but nothing can be done after 6pm and on weekends because managment is not there in the office, when something can be done is, a sticker placed on their windsheild saying you are in violation in a residents parking spot and you have 24 hours to move this vhecile or it will be towed..Well that is not true, because it is not enforced after 6pm or on weekends or holidays, What can I do? I am about reading to take a knife and cut some tires!!! Oh I have forgot that I have placed "Please do'nt park here tags on their windows, I have had the Tags placed back on my car and some have written F.U. on them.. I need help. PLEASE??

Please read the whole question....I have placed a note on there car windows, these are assigned spots, there are markers on the road, and signs all over ther place ststing that these are asigned parkings spots.

I have tired calling the tow company's, they will not tow a car without a siguature from a Apt Manager, There is no manager on site at the times I have discribed.

It's private property, police can't tow it unless it's in a fire lane...

I have been so mad that I have pulled off the BIG signs in the Apt areas Saying " Please Don't Park inassigned areas or you will be towed at onwer expense" and have placed these Big 2 foot by 3 foot signs on there car windows..Get the picture??

Answer 1

It sounds like you have tried everything.

Talk to your management again. Ask Management to purchase some tire boots for you to use (look for "tire boot" on Ebay).
When you see a car in your space that's had repeated warnings, boot it. Then, when Management comes back, show them the booted car, and get Management to tow it then.

Answer 2

It's apparent you've tried the legal ways and are not getting anywhere. I hate mean people too - so every once in a while Nice People have to make a stand:

Here are a few not so nice ideas that a desperate person might try:

Smear their door handles w/vasaline each time they park there. Expecially if you do it underneath so they don't know it's there.

Write in dark red lipstick on the windows, "I'm a rude Jerk" all over the windows. It's not fun to get off and they'll get tired of cleaning it off. (I did this before to a guy who cussed me, flipped me off and called me names (made me very upset) for not going one second after it turned green (I was having a clutch issue) I waited for him to go into the store and it most definately felt great to get the point across)

A wad of chewing gum right where the driver will get out on a continueous basis is an option to try. Keep putting it there... make sure it's a darker color of gum so they won't see it as well. Eventually they'll get tired of the gum.

Is there a tree nearby? Take yellowish white (washable) paint and flick drops on the winshield so they think it's tons of bird poo.

For more desperate:

Call and tell the tow company you need "your" car towed to the car repair shop, who already has the keys since the car won't run.

The nails for a week are an idea.

If their windows are ever down, throw a sardine or two in ever so often. It is better if you can toss it in the back so that they may not see it for a few days. That stench alone may chase them away.

good luck

Answer 3

While I agree with Flavious I think you should first check on your local law and see if this is a viable option or otherwise you may find yourself in hot water. However, it is possible that due to the fact you PAY for that spot, you may have a legitimate reason to have any cars towed how violate and/or trespass on your property. Check out your local laws and if you do have this option first put up a sign which informs the miscreants that they WILL BE TOWED AT THEIR EXPENSE if they park in your spot.

If you do not have the legal right to tow the car you may wish to tow it anyway and see what a small claims court has to say about the subject. If you can get a judgment in your favor it will set a precedence for future people in your same predicament. It is wrong for people to park in a spot you pay for the privilege of using. So, find out what your legal avenues are and act accordingly.

Good luck and have a great day!

Answer 4

i would say contact the property manager everytime it happens keep very detailed records, it seems like you have done everything so keep complaining take the issue beyond your property manager, go to his or her manager and let them know that the property manager is leaving this issue unresolved. you do have rights you have a right to park in the assigned place for you. i dont know if you have tried placing something in the parking spot like those orange cones with a do not park signe attached so it looks offical. i would say definetly contact the person or persons above the property manager because u have a right to park where you pay right and the space u are entitled to.

Answer 5

Every time you see someone in your spot, document it. Get the vehicle description, license plate # and Vin # if you can. Take pictures even, either with a disposable camera, Digital Camera, normal camera or even cell phone camera. Video would also work. What you need to do is get the visual evidence you can take to your apartment manager/owner. Let them know each and every time someone is in your spot. Quick question. Do you pay extra for your parking spot? Or is it included in the rent? Those are things you will need to know.

If your Manager or Owner does nothing about this, then you need to let the authority know. (Especially if your paying monthly or extra for that parking spot, then nobody has the right to park in it as you pay for that right. Also, find out about whether or not your on private property.... being an apartment complex, there could be a gray area there.)

If nothing gets resolved through any of these means, the last option would be to consult a lawyer and see what you can do through the law about the problem.

I am a firm believer in Karma, and don't advise doing anything to harm the cars parked there. If worse comes to worse, just leave a note (nice or nasty) on their windshield next time they park in your spot.

Answer 6

That is a tough one. Your manager is not helping you like they should. One can cut tires or throw eggs but then you have to worry about the same thing being done back to you as a fued would develop between the 2 parties. Where do you then park when you come home & your spot is taken? Is there room just farther away? or no space @ all? Send me your answers @: [e-mail]

Answer 7

I have a possible solution. I live in Chicago and a car in violation like that would be towed within 15 minutes. Call a towing company. They will be glad to come get the car, tow it and later collect money for it. Do you have a city information number where you live where you can get some advise? In Chicago we call 311 for problems such as yours. Don't give up the fight!

Answer 8

First of all, go into your local police station and report the vandylism on your car. I don't know but you might be able to report the car to the police since that parking space is yours with your apartment. It might be considered trespassing your property, or at least I would think. GOOD LUCK. Try this I think it'll work.

Answer 9

When a car is there, you park right behind it so they can't move.
Then put a note on their car saying where to come find you. In the mean time, call your biggest meanest male family member/friend and ask him to come over and explain the facts of life to them. That'll fix them.

Answer 10

if they won't tow without an apt mgr signature, why don't you just tell them yr the manager? you sign the thing and if your landlord gets pissed, tell them they better change your parking spot or your going to report them to the dept of housing.