AITA having a car towed without warning when they parked in my spot even if I’m not using it?

Shirley Stafford Hours
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The aroma of a lively dinner party wafted through the condo, laughter echoing until a rogue car parked in the wrong spot stole the show. A single condo owner, holding two precious parking spaces, discovered an unauthorized vehicle—marked with a handicap plate—claiming their property. What began as a quick call to security ignited a fiery debate about rights and compassion.

This Reddit saga dives into the chaos of urban parking wars, where every spot is a treasure. The OP’s choice to tow, despite the disability marker, divided their friends and poses a thorny question: does your property trump someone else’s needs? With city parking a universal headache, this story invites readers to wrestle with the balance between ownership and empathy in a world where spaces are sacred.

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‘AITA having a car towed without warning when they parked in my spot even if I’m not using it?’

Imy condo, it came with 2 parking spaces. Since I was single and had only 1 car, the management company offer to buy back 1 space. I thought about it but decided to keep both spaces just in case I get married while still living here. In any case, it can serve as parking for visiting family or friends.

I want to be very clear, these parking spaces are part of my condo, they are listed in the mortgage and deed. They are not free and I turned down a hefty cash offer for 1 of them. On Saturday, I was having a dinner party with some friends.

As usual, some complained they had to park several blocks away and the ones that didn’t made fun of them for coming late. Someone said I had an extra parking space and the smart ones try to get here early to get that space.

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Then they tried to figure out who was the smartest person that got the space and we soon realized no one at the party parked in my space. A group of us went to the parking area and sure enough, there was a car in my space. I took a pic and after confirming it didn’t belong to anyone at the party, I called security to have it towed.

Most everyone at the party cheered but a few people were not happy I was having the car towed because the car had a handicap plate. This morning those people were really salty and messaged me that it was an a**hole move.

I argued it’s my space and they didn’t have permission while they argued it’s a parking space and I just cost someone $200 (I’m not sure if the fee, that’s just the figure someone threw out during the argument) and made their life harder. I argued the parking space is mine just as my kitchen.

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Some handicap person can just come into my house without an invitation and start cooking in my kitchen because it’s easier for them. I should add that my spaces are not nearer to the doors or better than other spaces for disabled people.. AITA?

A private parking spot is more than concrete—it’s a hard-won piece of your domain. The OP’s swift tow of an unauthorized car was legally justified, but the handicap plate stirred a moral pot, pitting property rights against social sensitivity.

The OP’s spaces, deeded and paid for, are as much theirs as their home. Rejecting a buyback offer underscores their value for guests or future needs. Forbes highlights in its Property Rights analysis, “Ownership grants control, a cornerstone of personal freedom.” The parker’s disability doesn’t negate this, especially since the spot wasn’t accessibility-designated.

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Still, the handicap plate adds nuance. A 2022 U.S. Census Bureau report notes 13% of Americans have disabilities, for whom parking access is critical. Dr. Amy McCart, a disability advocate, says, “Accessible parking can be a lifeline”. The OP could prevent future issues with clear “reserved” signage. Readers navigating similar disputes should calmly assert rights while considering context—share your strategies in the comments.

These are the responses from Reddit users:

The Reddit crowd brought the heat, serving a mix of high-fives and side-eyes. Most cheered the OP’s stand, but the handicap plate sparked some grumbling. Here’s the unfiltered buzz:

dont_eat_my_ramen − NTA. At the end of the day it's your parking space and you didn't give them permission. Even if they are handicapped, they're not entitled to your parking spot.

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[Reddit User] − NTA. You didn't take the money, its your spot. Others who live in there should also realize that. It sucks for the person with the handicapped plates, but they took a risk that someone would 'roll over' and not complain. You didn't, they lost.

Major_Barnacle_2212 − NTA. I’d imagine you don’t let someone who is mobility challenged sleep in your guest room just because It’s available or closer to the parking lot.

[Reddit User] − It’s your parking spot even if you don’t have 2 cars. Disabled or not, they didn’t have permission to park there. You did nothing wrong. NTA

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[Reddit User] − NTA -- It's your space. People with disabilities (***Please note it isn't 'handicap person') are regular people, subject to the same rules as non-disabled people.

SuzieQbert − NTA. You're under no obligation to allow someone else to use your property, and 'letting it slide' is a fine way to have things spiral out of control because people will believe they can take advantage of your desire to avoid conflict.

YoshiKoshi − NTA. I used to own a condo and parking spot. My spot was right near the entrance to the building and people often parked in my spot. I had them towed every time. It was infuriating to me that they felt entitled to use my spot.

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AffectionateHand2206 − NTA. If they knew it was your spot and managed to contact to afterwards, they could've just asked before parking there.

Ovenproofcorgi − This is like going on a trip involving a long plane ride. You think, 'hey, I want to be comfortable, so I'm going to get two seats' and you pick, and pay, for two. You get on the plane and someone is sitting in one of the seats you are paying for. It doesn't matter whether you are going to be actually using it. You paid for it. You have every right to have them removed.. NTA

Pocketfull_ofrocks − INFO: are your parking spaces marked as 'reserved' or any other way that indicates that they belong to your unit?

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These Redditors largely backed the OP’s property claim, though some questioned the lack of a warning. Do these opinions hit the mark, or are they just stoking the fire?

This parking spat lays bare the tension between fiercely guarding your turf and navigating human needs. The OP’s tow was a bold defense of their rights, but the handicap plate muddies the waters, challenging us to weigh ownership against empathy. Have you clashed over a parking spot or faced a similar boundary test? Share your tales and takes below—what would you do in this situation?

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