Parking spot hijack

Q While I was away on a winter break I came home to find someone parked in my private exclusive use parking space. I was informed that they had been parked there since the time I left two weeks ago. I am still trying to find out whom this vehicle belongs to because it hasn’t moved. I contacted the management company who still hasn’t got back to me. I keep leaving messages but to no avail. I have had to park in visitor parking for two days. The condo directors do not live on the premises and we are told to contact the management directly when we have issues. I want to have this car ticketed or towed and I am very frustrated. Who is responsible for helping me?

A It is the responsibility of your board of directors to enforce the parking bylaws, rules or regulations that govern your condo property. Therefore, if the management is not getting back to you, you have no choice but to contact one of your condominium directors. If you cannot reach the board then send a registered letter to the management company with an urgent message regarding your parking issue. The management will have to sign for the letter and should act immediately. Sometimes messages that are sent by email or left on answering machines will be forgotten or misplaced.

The management or board would be able to conduct a license plate search in order to reveal whom this vehicle belongs to. If it does not belong to one of the residents then the corporation would have to call the police to conduct a search. Or if you have a private bylaw officer who attends to unauthorized parking you could try contacting that person as well.

Towing should be a last resort because consideration must be reviewed regarding relevant municipal bylaws in your area, which may restrict or prohibit towing.