Blocked in a car who parked in my space

[2026baby]

To be clear I own my flat and the parking space is part of my lease and is legally mine. If anyone wishes to use it they would need to have my permission as they would be trespassing otherwise. The space is on private land in a secure garage that requires fob access.

I have come home today from being away to find a random car parked in my space, I do not know who it belongs to. I paid to park on the street outside for an hour hoping they would move soon but no one did. Not wanting to spend any more money unnecessarily I have now parked in front of my parking space which has blocked them in. It is not impacting anyone else's space and allows free movement around the car park.

I have left a note on the car and put a message in the block's group chat but no one has responded. AIBU to block them in until I get a response?

I have nowhere else to park and I don't want to pay to park outside as its £4 an hour and I have no idea when they will move (So far it has been 3 hours that I am aware of). The managing agent is closed for the weekend but have been useless anyway when my neighbours have the same problem and as its a civil matter I can't call the police but according to google the car owner can call the police on me for blocking them in. I am also concerned in case they damage my car, again where would I stand legally if they did given that I have blocked them in?

I’m soo invested in this thread now. I can’t believe they are still there

Going forward can you put up a sign saying that anyone who parks there runs the risk of being blocked in by you in the event of you not being able to access your space?

Any update op?

Did you take a photo of your note on the car with their registration in clear view?

Yeah definitely going to get something! My husband is the blue badge holder and he hasn't been affected really today as he gets a lift to work on Saturdays from a colleague but I won't have him inconvenienced when he does need to get in and out of his own car in his own space!

@2026baby You have all my sympathy and I suggest that you don't rush back to move your car when they do call.

But I am confused about why your private parking space has a blue badge sign, if it's only you and your DH that are allowed to park there anyway. I wonder if the fact that it has a blue badge has made the parker think it isn't a private space for a specific flat? They shouldn't have parked in it anyway, but that might explain why they thought they could get away with it without taking someone's dedicated space.

It has her flat number on it I think.

I would be tempted to make the point by saying now in the group chat that you’re going to bed now so you won’t be able to move your car until tomorrow. Maybe even add something to that effect to the note on the car stealing your space.

If it’s still there after tomorrow I’d report it as abandoned and get the police to tow it away.

It doesn't have a blue badge sign but it is much larger than a normal space with hatched areas all around and a wheelchair painted on the floor so its obvious its a disabled space. I can understand your point but it also states our flat number clearly as do all the other bays, both disabled and not.

Thanks. I was confused by why a private space would be designated a disabled space as it is only for the owner anyway, but if as you say it is a bigger space with hatching around it that makes absolute sense.

I hope they get back to you soon, though I would be tempted to go to the pub and if they call tell them you'll be back to move your car when it's convenient.

This was my thinking too, as l explained upthread they may have mistaken it for an on street advisory bay it they’re not displaying a badge. That’s inconsiderate enough But if OP’s flat number is marked in the space there’s really no excuse,

Any update?

Gosh that's frustrating.

i have a blue badge and struggle to get out of the car unless I can get a disabled parking spot with space - normally I just go home if I cannot get one - so your situation is ultra frustrating.

I think I would invest in a camera (even a dummy one) and a big notice.

I am in a bungalow and was contemplating a flat but your thread has put me off!

The person that parked there is a CF, but parking in a disabled spot without a blue badge should be a crime not just a fine. And parking in someone's private parking space thats an obvious disabled parking spot. I'm actually really disappointed in that person. Shame on them.

Even worse if your space is marked as disabled! I'm afraid that they really have gone beyond the pale.

I worked for a while (poor me!) for a guy who had a designated parking space in a swanky block of flats. Someone parked in his space and he wanted them removed. I contacted a removal company and they said that yes, they could do it but he would need to be there to take responsibility, in case of damages.

As you're on-site, I presume that might not be a problem - so, it can be done but you'll have to pay them and then try to recover the costs from the owner of the car.

Still, might be worth it to see their face.

(Mind you, when they had been removed and he had reclaimed his parking space, a tree fell on his car. Shame, that. And he was such a lovely person.😂)

My feeling is that do it once, you get a fine. Do it twice, you get a bigger fine. Do it three times and your car gets towed and crushed and if the miscreant is in it, so much the better. They won't be doing that again!

No, I'm not joking.

In the US the manager of the parking area/building manager would have had the car towed and impounded by now. Signs everywhere notify people parking that they will be towed if the car is parked unlawfully.

Yeah nice bit of entertainment for you. How crass and insensitive under the circumstances.

Totally not unreasonable to ignore a knock at the door after 9pm. A lot of people don't answer the door after a certain time of night, especially when it is dark.
A phone call, I would be tempted to answer and decide your response depending on their attitude. If you decide to move it for them straight away, still take your time.
If their attitude isn't good, then tell them you have gone to bed or had a drink and they will need to call you in the morning. You can end the call if they are abusive. If they then turn up at your door being abusive then call the police, due to their behaviour and concern re your safety when you go out.

100%

What’s the tea sis, has the shitehawk not retuned yet?

Very invested in this thread OP! Total CF of the nth degree from the selfish person who is in yours apex especially as it’s clearly marked with your flat number and also a ♿️ bay.

Any update yet? I hope you will leave them on their 🍑 till it is convenient for you to let them out!!

@2026baby I would put a sign on your park to note that it is for the exclusive use of apartment #x. Anyone parking in this space agrees to pay £10 per hour or part thereof (or higher - make it more than double street parking cost) and their registration has been recorded for payment enforcement. If the legal owner of the park returns, they will be parked in until it is convenient for the owner to move their vehicle. Then put up a camera and see how you go.

@2026baby

Dear heart - you spent a goodly amount of time in your opening remarks justifying your parking or listing reasons.

All you had to say was, “Some jerk parked in my paid-for parking space and I left him a note to call me.”
He’s lucky that’s ALL you did.

*see note
__

*I’m ashamed of myself that the older I get, the more mean I get:

”Then I lit it on fire.”

I think I might’ve lit that bastard on fire.
Parking thief woulda appeared all quick-like like magic. Then I woulda denied everything while playing with matches right in front of him.
I have an awful imagination. But it’s fun lots of times. You gotta laugh. And keep laughing.

I’ll be your witness, @2026baby
I’ll say I was with you far away from the scene of the burned up car.
Car?
Fire?
I just can’t tell you.
Me either. We were bowling.
Your friend said you were playing tennis.
Well yes. There’s a bowling alley at the tennis courts.
Um, uh, yeah - that’s the ticket.
hahaha

Like I say it depends how many spare spaces there are overall. You live there so know this better than us. If there's plenty to go around but not everyone is in "their" space, it doesn't matter. If each space is always occupied, then it does.