What to do if someone occupies your private parking space

Parking shortages are becoming increasingly acute in Romanian cities. While the number of registered vehicles continues to grow year after year, parking spaces are shrinking at a rapid pace. Obtaining a parking spot from the city hall has become almost impossible, with waiting lists of years, and private parking spaces are sold at prohibitive prices, reaching thousands or even tens of thousands of euros in the central areas of major cities.

This situation forces many drivers to improvise parking solutions, often occupying spaces that do not belong to them. If you own a private parking space, you have probably already faced this frustrating problem. In this article we will explain step by step what options you have when someone occupies your parking space and how to proceed legally.

Situația actuală a parcărilor private în România

Owners of private parking spaces frequently face unpleasant situations. The problem would not be so serious if unlawful occupation occurred only during the day, when the owner is at work or away. The situation becomes critical when:

• The intruding vehicle’s owner leaves no phone number for contact
• The driver refuses to vacate the space, even after being contacted
• The occupation occurs during peak hours when the owner urgently needs a parking space
• The parked vehicle is abandoned for days or even weeks

What the law says about private parking spaces

In 2020, the legislative framework underwent important changes. Local police gained the legal power to tow away all illegally parked vehicles located on public property. Previously, local authorities could intervene only for vehicles parked on public roads themselves.

For example, Cluj-Napoca City Council explicitly established that private parking spaces or those with subscriptions are on the public domain, thus granting the local police the right to take action. However, in practice there is a major gap between theory and the enforcement of the law.

Problems in applying the law

Unfortunately, authorities continue to avoid active involvement in such cases, citing various reasons:

• Local police frequently claim it is not within their competence
• To intervene, you are required to file an official complaint
• The response usually arrives after 2-3 days, by which time the situation may have already been resolved or worsened
• Even when they intervene, the sanction is often limited to a simple warning or a modest fine
• The intruding vehicle remains blocking your parking space

Soluții practice pentru recuperarea locului de parcare

Given the difficulty in obtaining prompt help from authorities, as the aggrieved owner you should explore alternative, legal, and effective solutions.

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• Do not damage the intruding vehicle - Scratching the bodywork, breaking windows, or deflating tires exposes you to charges of destruction and material damage
• Do not engage in physical confrontations - Violence solves nothing and can turn you from victim into offender
• Do not move the vehicle by force - Unauthorized towing can lead to damages for which you will be held responsible
• Keep calm - impulsive reactions only worsen the situation

Metoda platformelor de socializare

The most effective method proven in practice is using social networks:

Cum procedezi:

1. Take photos of the vehicle from multiple angles, ensuring the license plate is visible
2. Note the make, model, color, and other distinctive details
3. Post the photos in local Facebook groups dedicated to your city
4. Use relevant hashtags such as #illegalparkingcluj, #blockedinparking
5. Mention that this is a private parking space and ask for help identifying the owner

This method works due to the large number of active users on social media. The chance that someone recognizes the vehicle or knows the owner is considerable, especially in well-connected urban communities.

Metoda blocării strategice

An alternative is to block the intruding vehicle:

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Pași de urmat:

1. If you have access, park your own vehicle behind or in front of the intruder’s car
2. Ensure you leave a visible phone number on the windshield
3. Wait for the owner to contact you when they return
4. Resolve the situation amicably, explaining clearly that the space belongs to you

Instalarea de marcaje și avertismente

For future illegal occupancies:

• Install clear signs with the text “Private parking - Unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense”
• Paint your marking on the concrete surface if permitted
• Install a chain or movable barrier that you can remove when you need to park
• Install surveillance cameras to more easily identify intruding vehicles and have evidence

Apelul la firme specializate de ridicare

There are private authorized companies that offer vehicle tow-away services:

• Check if such services are available in your city
• Learn about the legal conditions for requesting the tow
• Keep documentation proving ownership of the parking space
• Note that these services incur costs that you should recover from the intruding vehicle’s owner

Documentația necesară pentru protecția ta juridică

To be prepared in case of legal disputes:

1. Acts of ownership of the parking space, updated at the land registry
2. Dated photographs of repeated occupancies
3. Copies of the complaints filed with the police
4. Evidence of communications with local authorities
5. Video recordings if you have a surveillance system

Prevenirea situațiilor viitoare

The best way to manage the issue is to prevent it:

• Build good relationships with neighbors who can report occupancies in your absence
• Create a communication group with other parking space owners in the area
• Document and report any illegal occupancy systematically
• Consider renting out your space during periods when you do not use it

Concluzii

Although the law provides a framework to protect your property, practical enforcement leaves much to be desired. In the absence of prompt and effective response from authorities, parking space owners must be proactive and use alternative yet legal methods to protect their rights.

Remember that the goal is to resolve the situation peacefully, not escalate the conflict. Keep calm, document everything, and follow legal procedures. With patience and persistence, most situations can be resolved without negative legal repercussions for you.

Photo source: https://danbrumar.ro/