u/PiaChichi

Tl;dr - moved into a new apartment where carport parking is reserved, but stalls are not assigned. Another resident vandalizes my car for being in “their spot” and now I’m the one that has to watch my back. 😭

For some context, I recently moved into a new apartment building offering carport parking spots. Where I live, that means it’s open to the elements, just has a flat roof covering it. They cost $50/month, which is a great deal, especially when I’m use to seeing $100-200+ per month in the city I live in. Amazing!

Before I signed the lease, the property manager (PM) explained paying for a parking spot means I get to park under the carport, but they don’t have assigned stalls. We also discussed some folks might have a preferred stall, but it’s still open parking for those who pay and I’ll probably start to notice who parks where - no big deal. Sound great.

When I went to pick up the keys last Friday, the PM had someone onsite and they say, hey sorry, my truck is out in one of the stalls, but I’ll move it so you can park there. Didn’t matter since I was just grabbing my keys and leaving. We chatted a little about how the stalls aren’t assigned again, but they’d probably be assigned at some point, don’t know when. Even better, keep me updated.

I moved in Sunday without issue, and am in and out of a couple stalls that day and Monday, whichever one was open when I needed to park. Tuesday afternoon, I come down to grab things from my car and find notes on the front and back windshields saying “please don’t park here, it’s reserved”. Honestly, it wasn’t a surprise as I’m the new renter moving in and just figuring things out. I do send a message to the PM about the notes and to reconfirm it’s ok for me to park where I’m at. I think nothing else of it and figure they’ll get back to me the next day.

This morning, a message goes out to all residents saying they’ve finally added stall numbers and will now have assigned parking, so to message them back with car info and parking stall number. I step out briefly to check what number my car is in. I’m not really paying attention to my car since the sign was the priority. Nothing seemed amiss. Going back the apartment, I reply with the info and the stall number, asking if I can have that one. Doesn’t hurt to ask, right?

Later today, I go outside to grab things from my trunk and that’s when I notice it. My back windshield was EGGED. Unsure when exactly it happened since it had already dried onto the window and down to the bumper all over the paint. Also, it’s summertime and dry weather. So could’ve happened anytime from last night to maybe early afternoon.

Walking around my vehicle to check if there’s more egg, I see the passenger side is fine, front is fine. Okay, just the back. I can deal with that. But nope, that’s not all there is. I come around my driver side and see both door handles have some unknown sticky looking (ain’t touching that, it just looks it), mucus-looking, black particle ridden substance smeared on them. WTF?? It’s chunky, doesn’t looking like dirt.

I immediately take photos and a video of my whole car, send that over to the PM asking to call me back when they can. Already I’m thinking it’s about the parking situation. Because what else could it be about?? None of the other cars were egged or smeared on, so clearly it was targeted. Also, gross. Egg is one thing, but the other shit?? God, I hope it’s not shit. I don’t even want to speculate.

The PM calls back, is equally as horrified as I explain in more detail what happened. As I’m talking, it’s starting to really sink in how much of a violation this is of my neighborly trust and just me as a person. Who goes from a note to property damage?? Cmon!! I just freaking moved in! I inform PM I’ll be filing a police report because it is indeed a crime and documenting with insurance.

PM tells me they received a complaint the day before that someone (me) was “in this person’s spot”, but again they aren’t assigned. Which is why they decided it’s high time to just deal with the stall issue and had maintenance slap them on the very next morning. Assigning spaces would take a little time though as they hear back from other residents on which stalls their cars are in.

This is where I may be the AH - PM asks me if I’m comfortable moving my car to a non-carport guest spot while they figure things out. I say no, im not comfortable doing that and I’m absolutely not touching my door handles, and since they aren’t assigned, yet, no reason to move. Also, I pay for a spot. I then ask I be assigned that spot given what’s occurred, which is petty, I know.

I get PM’s trying to be peacemaker, but why am I the one that needs to move? Assignments aren’t even finalized! PM says they understand, but they’ll have to let the other resident know I won’t be moving my car with the reason of police and insurance blah blah. PM asks that I let them know if anything further happens and maybe to get cameras for my car and apartment, just in case.

I’ve used a CPA for almost a decade. They are lovely, never had any issues. Usually costs ~$450 since I have a few other income sources.

Last year I was laid off and figured I’d save myself that money and do my taxes on my own. Should be simple right? No! It’s not!! What was I thinking??

I just broke down today and emailed my CPA that I need their help. Now I’ll have late fees, a headache, and wounded pride.