Another parking one

[NancyCarolinesHeadtorch]

Possibly am being U...

I've had terrible trouble since December trying to get a parking permit for my street. There is a waiting list and 'multiple occupancy buildings' (which appears to mean older buildings converted into flats) are being limited. I don't know why.

Anyway. I've been juggling parking when I'm at home, moving the car around during restricted parking times and sometimes using the pay and display. One day I was driving up and down the 2 nearest streets looking for somewhere to park when a man waved me into a parking area behind some flats and told me that as it's residents and visitors (signs up stating this) and that the residents only park at one end, I could park there when I had nowhere else to go.

This area us behind a large house converted into flats. There are- I think- 5 or 5 flats in the house. The end nearest the house is concreted and flat. The bit I park on is rough and muddy with lots of weeds. Plus is under trees so my car is covered in bird poo. There are only ever cars on the concrete bit and I am not blocking anyone in.

A few days ago a woman called to me from an upper floor window saying I couldn't park there as it's residents only. I said I'd been given permission. She said that's not the case as she owns her flag and 'downstairs' does too. I repeated that I'd been given permission and wasn't prepared to argue through a window. I went to walk off and said I'd ve leaving the car for now until I'd hopefylly spoken to the man who said I could park there. She said she'd call the police. I told her I doubted they'd be interested. She called me a cheeky bitch. I left.

I got home and felt awful. I didn't mean to be rude. I was having a tough day, but that wasn't her problem. I went back to apologise and explain about the man but there were a few doorbells and I couldn't figure out where she was.

So... I've carried on parking there for now and have heard no more. I genuinely don't feel that it's affecting anyone- no one ever parks at that end and there is plenty of room if there are other visitors (at least 3 more spaces). Plus I was given permission by someone who presumably lives there (I didn't ask, but surely he must!) And as the signs state 'residents and visitors' I counted myself as his visitor.

AIBU?

the problem is that you aren't a visitor to that building, which is what the spaces are intended to be for. Maybe on the one occasion when the man told you to park there, you could argue the point. But it really doesn't give you carte blanche to invite yourself to park there all the time.

Permits for blocks of flats will be limited because during the planning process it was agreed that there would only be X permits allocated to the building, to avoid the restricted area being flooded with permits and preventing existing permit holders from being able to park.

fassbendersmistress

The mistake you are making is in not providing a diagram. Doesn't matter how little it adds to the understanding of your post, MN rules require that any parking thread must be accompanied by a diagram.

The situation is sucky. I have a lot of sympathy for the stress you must feel about something so simple as finding a parking space. But I agree with others that you can't know for sure if you should be parking there. You need to find another solution.

And as the signs state 'residents and visitors' I counted myself as his visitor

No you don't. You've just persuaded yourself that you have an excuse for parking there when you have none at all. Does your local grip-shop opne on Bank Holiday?

Hi. Thanks all I get a strong clear message that I am being U.

To answer a couple of points, its not a grass verge or lawn, it's definitely part of the parking area, it's just not concreted. It's uneven ground with embedded gravel and some weeds poking through.

I don't park there all the time or every day. I park there when I can't find anywhere else which is what the mystery man said to do. I agree though, I have no idea who he is or if he can give me permission. I assumed he could- but I guess it suited me to! For all I know, he does own one of the flats though.

I checked today, it looks like there are 4 flats. There are at least 6 spaces, maybe 8. I'm not hindering anyone's manouvering, there's loads of room and no one ever parks at that end (I drive past a lot even when not parked there)

I'll try to find somewhere else

"Hi. Thanks all I get a strong clear message that I am being U."

YABVVU to ignore MN etiquette like this. You can't accept you are wrong. You are supposed to get into a long argument with everyone on the thread, then eventually flounce off.

How dare you post on AIBU then politely accept the majority view having expressed yourself in a balanced and considerate manner. You didn't even swear!

Off to netmums with you :-)

(Well done OP)

Ha. Sorry donquixotedelamancha

You're all cunts and I am the queen.

Better?

YABU.

You don't know who the man was, for all you know he doesn't actually live there and has his own beef with the actual occupants of the flats so saw his opportunity to piss them off by telling you, a stranger, you can park there.

Those owning or renting the properties who do have a right to park there will have paid a premium for the spaces via the purchase or their rental, I'm not surprised the woman was annoyed.

Now a legitimate resident has told you (rightly) that you can't park there you should respect that and move on.