Outrage at note resident finds from neighbor just weeks after moving in

A new tenant was taken aback when they found a terse note on their car just days after moving into their new home, sparking widespread discussion among viewers online.

The situation, which the tenant shared to Reddit on March 9 under u/eveningwrong, has drawn more than 9,000 upvotes and ignited debate about neighborly disputes over parking. The post included an image of a handwritten note reading, “please don’t use my space again.”

The accompanying caption detailed the tenant’s confusion: “Moved in two days ago… Keep in mind I just moved in two days ago, couldn’t park in my spot because someone was there and was finally able to, today I got this note on my car… What do I even do?”

With thousands of users engaging with the post, the responses ranged from those offering legal advice to others sharing similar experiences of territorial disputes over parking spaces.

To better understand how to approach such disputes, Newsweek consulted Nicholas Schmitt, senior director of conflict resolution and training at Community Mediation Services, Inc, who has mediated thousands of conflicts between neighbors, including hundreds related to parking issues.

“This person believes the parking spot to be theirs, while the neighbor seems to be claiming it belongs to them. Somewhere, confusion arose for one or both of them,” Schmitt told Newsweek.

He advised that the first step in resolving such disputes is clarifying the ownership of the space. This involves reviewing personal documents, such as a lease or deed, or consulting a property manager or landlord to verify the rightful assignment of the parking spot.

“Sometimes, we get so locked into being right that we forget to check if we are right,” he said.

If the space ownership is unclear, Schmitt suggested that open and respectful communication with the neighbor could be key to toning down the situation. However, not all neighbors are equally willing to engage in discussion.

“The neighbor may want to avoid a conversation if the way things are going works for them,” Schmitt said. Others may be conflict-avoidant, unwilling to discuss the issue, or confrontational in their approach.

Schmitt emphasized that approaching the conversation from a place of curiosity and problem-solving, rather than entitlement, is critical.

“Responses that are dismissive or all-or-nothing—such as ‘well, it’s just mine’—can be countered with curious hypotheticals,” he added.

If direct conversation proves difficult, mediation options exist. The tenant could seek assistance from building management, a community association or a local dispute resolution center. These organizations can offer structured dialogues to help both parties come to an agreement.

Schmitt also encouraged flexibility and creative problem-solving in case new information comes to light. For example, if a building manager mistakenly assigned the same spot to both tenants, or if the neighbor has mobility issues and needs the closer space, understanding these factors could change how the conflict is approached.

Additionally, even if an initial agreement is reached, Schmitt suggested leaving room for future discussions.

“It may be impossible to reach a binding, forever agreement in one conversation,” he said. “Be open to trying things out for a couple of weeks to see how they fit. Agree to meet again to check in on the agreement or to continue discussing options.”

Viewers on Reddit have weighed in on the note, with many suggesting the tenant call his property manager for help.

“Same thing happened when I moved a couple months ago,” one viewer said. “Told the property manager, and they checked the cameras, contacted the guy, and informed him that was, in fact, not his parking spot.”

Another added: “Call your property manager and have them handle it. Don’t let anyone bully you out of your spot. It’s possible it was vacant for a long time but if that’s your spot then they need to cut it out.”

Newsweek reached out to u/eveningwrong for more information via Reddit.

Do you have a dispute with your neighbor? Let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.