What would you do in this parking situation (long read, not car related 'sorry')

KXL

KXL
Dec 15, 2016
1,581
197
London, UK
So I rent my parking spot from the ‘said’ landlord, it’s a decent parking space, one side is free of any other cars with space to open my door fully, while the other side, well it has a car. So I always try my best to park so that my car as close as possible to the empty side, eg…my wheels are usually literally touching the line, or just inside the line, giving space to the next car to me (the red car) ease of exit etc. The space between my car and the red card is enough so that the door can open to the ‘second’ stop point with room to spare when I open the door.

I’ve parked in this spot since Nov 2018 without any incident.

So recently I hear that the said red car owner had an issue with my ‘landlord,’ which included a court case, one day I was confronted by the guy in the red car, asking if I lived there (I did not) but I just disclosed that I rented from the said landlord, and I declined to give him my number. Now he wasn’t very complimentary of my landlord, which figures, and he mentioned he was the new director of the estate (and apparently my landlord wasn’t anymore) and soon all parking permits would cease etc (perhaps it’s scare tactics). As far as I know, my landlord still issues permits and is the director (and everyone’s permit, notices on the wall has my landlord’s name / signature on it).

Now recently I’ve noticed the odd ding (red paint) with my paint little bit coming off the lower/underside on my front passenger door handle of my car, ok, not a problem, I know some people are careless, and looking at the red card next to me, it’s quite banged up (it’s a 58 plate Megane 2 door J LO bum edition, that one!), with most of it’s driver’s door front edge more white and grey than red. So I guess this person doesn’t really take care when opening his door.

I polished it, put some touch up paint, almost good as new. So sometimes I park my car the other way, guess what, now there’ a red paint ding on the driver’s side door handle same level. So these 3-4 dings only happened since he confronted me.

What would you do?

Should I, contact my landlord and tell this to him, and risk them fighting plus getting my car more banged up potentially?

Should I confront this person next time I see him, or should I leave a polite note to kindly be careful? I really doubt this person would take too kindly to a note.

Should I get a dash-cam, that records non-stop, I mean I’m 100% sure it’s the red car dinging my car, but I didn’t see it, plus why is it the minute he has an issue with my landlord or I refuse giving my number these dings start? Coincidence? Or am I overthinking…

Should I report this to the authorities or your experience is that nothing can really be done?

Thanks for reading!
 

Damo H

Remind me, what's an indicator?
Staff member
Moderator
Oct 3, 2012
4,710
2,804
Car Length In Front
Sorry to hear about this. Blood my blood when people take a beef over some perceived wrong and decide they’ll take it out on your car or property. Typically confronting these idiots makes no difference and simply escalated things. The state of their car shows they have no respect for even their own things.

Getting a dash cam typically won’t record side ways, unless you deliberately angle it the wrong way. If you then have the evidence it’s this guy, is it likely to change anything? Supply to your landlord may help.

If I’m honest I’d be looking for a different parking spot, but if you do get evidence it’s then and they do nothing, move where you park.

I’d love to suggest supergluing his locks, putting tacs under all 4 tyres, etc. But that wouldn’t be a responsible thing to do and would likely get you in more bother.
 

Legojon

I only wanted a remap
Staff member
Moderator
Jul 7, 2015
5,284
2,713
From experience, people who don't care at all about their cars don't care about damaging yours, it doesn't even enter their minds they are doing something wrong because to them it's just 4 wheels, an umbrella and a radio. I'd confront him, but would need to have something solid to confront him with (possibly an iron bar)... seriously though, I'd want something like dashcam or cctv footage so he couldn't deny it. Cause as it stands, he can just deny it, you can't prove otherwise. Then you open the flood gates for intentional damage. Can you not set up eg a wireless cctv cam that would cover that area? I actually use one of these outside (wirless and solar powered):
 

KXL

KXL
Dec 15, 2016
1,581
197
London, UK
Thanks for your inputs, I might go with a discrete in car dash cam powered by a large powerbank? It's parked in an apartment complex, which I don't own, so I can't go around sticking cameras up, though it would be great if I could.
 

KXL

KXL
Dec 15, 2016
1,581
197
London, UK
I found a trick at the supermarket carpark too, park next to a more expensive (or newer reg plate) than my own car, usually ends up untouched this way!
 

Jimbobcook

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Nov 24, 2012
6,149
2,531
That's a sucky situation indeed! I think as soon as I found the 2nd ding knowing it was that guy i'd find somewhere else to park which obviously isn't easy I assume. People who don't care about their cars or don't have their own cars just don't see why it's bad but this case could be/is a move to get rid of you for sure. Also like above you can get tiny magnetic cameras you could just put on your alloy nut or something looking down your car which may help you but i'm not sure how long a powerbank would run it.

You could get this (Neos Smartcam) instead of a dash cam as it's not that expensive (£30) and it is USB charged so easy for a powerbank and it has an SD card to constantly record to with looping if there is no Wifi to use, if there is then you could use the app to see movement live to see what's going on and it's also got a magnetic base I think. Then when you're done just use it for your house haha

Parking next to expensive cars is my way out if I cannot find a triple space :)

Hope things get sorted.
 

Mr Pig

Active Member
Jun 17, 2015
2,614
906
I might go with a discrete in car dash cam powered by a large powerbank?

I think that's a good idea. If you can get a video that shows this guy deliberately damaging your car you can do something with it. Claim on your insurance, get their lawyers onto him.

My bet is that he lives there and resents the fact that you don't but have a good space. Ask your landlord about him, see if you can find out what his story is.

I once lived in a street where I fell out with just about everyone over parking. Not enough spaces and a bunch of people who felt they owned spaces they did not. The lies I was told. Almost came to blows one night.
 

Fester999

Active Member
May 17, 2020
179
102
53
Parking is a right pain in the arse.
I'm fortunate enough to have a drive, however broadband cable is being laid in the street.
The useless crappers have left boards over the trench but I can't fit through the gap! Luckily I can go out on motorcycle if needed.
 
Progressive Parts, performance parts and tuning specialists