I (27)F moved to a townhouse style apartment complex with my husband (36)M back in 2022. Our apartment complex offers gated parking with assigned spots for $25. If you’re parked in the gated area without an assigned spot or tag stating you pay to park in the gated area then your car gets towed. There are multiple signs in the entrance stating this. We decided to pay for two spots to be closer to our apartment and to make it easy for when I have my son with me. Recently, the complex started doing some construction work and the apartment manager sent out an email stating that certain parking spots will be reassigned temporarily to allow the workers easier access. In this email, it specifically states to see her in the office to get a new temporary spot and not to park in spots they are not assigned to (our spots were not reassigned).
Well, a few nights ago, my husband and I were out and came home late to find someone parked in my spot. We didn’t know who the car belonged to so we could politely ask them to move so I moved close to my neighbors spot and hoped the tow truck didn’t make his routine drive by that night. (Thankfully, he didn’t) The next day, I got a message from neighbors saying they saw the man parking in my spot and told him he was parking in someone’s assigned spot. He responded with “I’m not moving my car”.
Last night, my neighbor messaged me that the same man parked in spot again. At this point, I was a little frustrated so I came home and got the number for the tow truck. I called and made a complaint that someone was in spot. I gave them the number of my spot along with the a description of the car. My neighbor and I sat outside by our doors waiting for the tow truck to make sure they took the right car. (There have been issues in the past with them taking the wrong car)
Now this part, I’ll admit is a little petty… when the tow truck arrived and started grabbing the car. My neighbor and I were clapping and laughing. It’s not like the man didn’t already know it was a possibility because my neighbors did warn him. The apartment manager did send out notices about this. Also, if I had let it go, I would be the one at risk of getting towed as well. Which I can’t afford at the moment…
I sent my husband pictures of the car getting towed and he had a few words for me when he got home from work. He felt I shouldn’t have called the tow truck. He feels I’m starting unneeded confrontation. We’ve lived her peacefully for 4 years and now I’m starting problems with people. He thinks the guy is gonna retaliate against me. He said he didn’t feel like a parking spot is worth the risk I’m putting myself in. I told him I wouldn’t have done it IF we didn’t pay for assigned spots. I wouldn’t have done it IF my car wasn’t at risk of being towed for being in the wrong spot. But, now I’m wondering… Is my husband right? Was I an a-hole for getting his car towed?
NTA He was warned and obviously didn’t care. How does your husband think he will retaliate?
He thinks the guy might cut my tires or do something to my car…
Can you install cameras I know apartment complexes typically don’t have cameras at the parking lot
Both my neighbor and I have door bell cameras that aim directly at our cars since we’re close to the parking area.
Then I wouldn’t worry about it. If he wants to wear some nice new bracelets and get a free ride in the backseat of a car with lights on it, that’s that guy’s problem, not yours.
And also, pretty much a layup that OP could get a restraining order against him. That could affect his residential status and potentially his livelihood. And a civil judgment could negatively impact his credit. I wonder what OP’s husband preferred her to do, park on the street or risk getting towed?
That is a crime, so your husband’s stance is to let it go because the guy might commit a crime. Does he believe in opening the doors and inviting a burglar in before they rob the place so they don’t commit a crime? How does he feel about murder? Should you just meekly accept being a victim? Extreme examples, I know, but it begs the question of where does your husband draw the line? People that are willing to do property damage in retaliation*and get away with it* are far more likely to escalate to physical violence.
NTA. Lived in apartments before. Your spot is your spot, you paid for it. Management should have stepped in after the first night but I understand where you are coming from if you already asked the guy to move and he was a AH about it.
I do hope you informed management..
Ya’ll can stop upvoting me btw XD. Go upvote OP.
I did.
NTA. The clapping and cheering was unnecessary though.
If your feckless husband has his way, the spot you pay for will belong, de facto, to the other person and you will not be able to use it.
If he hadn’t made the comment to your neighbor, then I’d say you were the AH. But since he knew, and didn’t care, then you are NTA. Let your apartment manager know that this was the second instance and they had been warned verbally after the first to protect yourself
NTA and your husband is being a bit spineless, quite frankly.
You didn’t start this. The guy who took your spot did. Having to park elsewhere meant you risking your car getting towed. You dealt with the issue.
NTA – I wonder if your husband would have been happy if it was his spot that had been taken and he ended up towed trying not to cause conflict.
Somehow I bet your husband is willing to risk your car but not his.
Tow, everytime. If you give an inch they will take a mile.
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