Common Questions in Owners Corporations: Car Parking Disputes
Car parking is one of the common sources of frustration in Owners Corporations. In fact, a significant number of after‑hours calls The Scotia Group receive relate to vehicles parked in spaces that don’t belong to the driver, or uncertainty about where visitors should park.
While every property is different, many parking disputes stem from the same handful of misunderstandings.
“Someone is parked in my spot, what are you going to do about it?”
If someone is parked in a space that is part of your private lot, it can feel intrusive and frustrating, particularly if you’ve come home late or need access urgently. However, it’s important to remember that immediate enforcement options are often limited. If your parking spot is privately owned as part of your lot, the Owners Corporation may not have the power to handle the infringement.
Why towing is not a simple solution
Towing is often raised as a quick fix, but in reality, it is rarely straightforward.
Strict conditions usually apply before a vehicle can be towed. Unauthorised or incorrect towing can expose the Owners Corporation to risk and liability. An Owners Corporation does not have the power to clamp or otherwise detain a vehicle on common property and cannot authorise removal of a vehicle.
Why after‑hours responses can be limited
We understand that parking issues often happen outside business hours, late evenings, weekends, or early mornings. However, after‑hours services are generally intended for urgent safety or building‑critical matters. Parking disputes, while inconvenient, rarely fall into this category. This doesn’t mean the issue is ignored, it simply means it’s usually more effectively managed during business hours, when information can be confirmed and next steps considered with the assistance of the Owners Corporation manager, where appropriate.
Practical steps to take:
- Check the signage and confirm the space number to ensure it is indeed your allocated space.
- If the vehicle belongs to a neighbour, a note or conversation (when appropriate) can often resolve the issue quickly.
- If the vehicle belongs to someone you don’t know, a polite note (when appropriate) could be left, or you could ask neighbours who the vehicle belongs to.
- Avoid blocking other vehicles or taking matters into your own hands, as this can escalate the situation.
- If the car park is common property, raise the issue with your Owners Corporation Manager to assist in handling the dispute.
Visitor parking
Visitor spaces are typically provided for short‑term use by genuine visitors, not for residents’ second vehicles or long‑term storage. Misuse of visitor parking can:
- disadvantage residents who have guests,
- create tension between neighbours, and
- lead to increased complaints and enforcement action.
If your property has time limits or rules in place, being mindful of these helps keep things fair and functional for everyone.
Trades and contractors
Parking issues don’t just involve residents; trades and contractors attending the property for repairs and maintenance can also be contributors. From a resident’s perspective, it can be frustrating to find a contractor parked in a private space. From a contractor’s perspective, unclear instructions can cause delays, missed appointments, or disputes onsite.
What helps prevent problems:
- Clear instructions at the start
When works are being arranged, parking should be discussed early. The Scotia Group include questions on parking as part of our triage, where appropriate. If a contractor doesn’t ask about parking during their triage, it’s a good idea to raise it. - Including parking details in the work order
Noting where a trade can or cannot park (for example, “visitor parking only” or “no basement access”) helps avoid misunderstandings on the day. - Being mindful of access needs
Trades often need proximity for tools, equipment, or materials — but this needs to be balanced with respecting private property and common rules.
A few extra minutes spent clarifying parking arrangements upfront can prevent disputes, delays, and follow‑up complaints later.
What Owners Corporations can do to reduce parking disputes
Living in an Owners Corporation means balancing individual needs with communal living. Parking will always be a sensitive topic and while individual behaviour plays a big role, there are also practical steps Owners Corporations can take to minimise ongoing issues:
- Ensuring parking signage is clear, visible, and up to date
- Communicating parking rules regularly, especially to new residents
- Reviewing recurring problem areas within the property
- Encouraging residents to raise non‑urgent concerns in a polite, respectful way with their neighbours; or raise concerns with the Owners Corporation manager so they can be properly addressed.
Clear communication, considerate parking habits and a shared understanding of the rules can help reduce misunderstandings and support day‑to‑day living in Owners Corporations.