Neighbor demands closer parking spot because she has 3 kids under 5 years old, resident refuses and reports ongoing disputes: 'You don't NEED close spot like do'

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Isabella Penn
Jan 10, 2026 7:00 AM EST

In a quiet apartment complex where everyone has their own marked parking spot, a parking disagreement has caused ongoing tension. Most residents follow the rules, but things changed when a new tenant arrived last month.

Kelly, who has three young children, lives in unit 18. Her parking spot is a bit farther from the entrance than her neighbor's in unit 12. The neighbor says Kelly asked to switch spots because it's hard for her to carry groceries and watch her kids from the farther space. The neighbor said no, since the parking rules say each spot stays with its unit.

Things got more tense when Kelly went to the landlord to try to force the switch. Management said that parking spots can only be traded if both people agree, so the neighbor's answer stood. Kelly tried again to talk to her neighbor, calling the refusal 'selfish,' but still didn't get the spot.

Tensions rose again when Kelly parked in the unit 12 spot for a few hours, saying she thought the neighbor was at work and needed to unload groceries. The neighbor, who lives alone, felt this was intrusive and still refused to switch. Family and friends have given different advice: some say to give in for peace, while others warn that it could lead to more problems later.

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  • This neighbor feud highlights the challenges of living in shared spaces, especially when trying to balance fairness and empathy. Neighbors often try to help each other, but clear rules are there to prevent disputes. In this case, the assigned parking system gives structure, but personal feelings make a simple issue more complicated.

    The resident in unit 12 plans to keep using their assigned spot and believes it’s important to respect the rules and boundaries. It’s unclear if things will calm down or get worse, but the situation shows how hard it can be when personal needs clash with community rules.

  • "AITJ because I won’t give my parking spot to new neighbor who says she "needs it more" because she has kids?"

    Potential_Bad6489 https://www.reddit.com/r/AmITheJerk/comments/1q88snp/aitj_because_i_wont_give_my_parking_spot_to_new/ - I live in an apartment complex where parking is assigned. Each unit gets one spot with your unit number painted on it.
    via Potential_Bad6489
  • Potential_Bad6489 https://www.reddit.com/r/AmITheJerk/comments/1q88snp/aitj_because_i_wont_give_my_parking_spot_to_new/ - I'm in unit 12, so I have spot 12. Pretty simple. New neighbor "Kelly" moved into unit 18 last month with her husband and 3 kids.
    via Potential_Bad6489
  • Potential_Bad6489 https://www.reddit.com/r/AmITheJerk/comments/1q88snp/aitj_because_i_wont_give_my_parking_spot_to_new/ - Her assigned spot is 18, which is further from the building entrance than mine. We're talking like maybe 40 extra feet of walking.
    via Potential_Bad6489
  • Potential_Bad6489 https://www.reddit.com/r/AmITheJerk/comments/1q88snp/aitj_because_i_wont_give_my_parking_spot_to_new/ - She knocked on my door last week and asked if we could "trade" parking spots because mine is closer and its "really hard" carrying her kids stuff from the car when the spot is far away.
    via Potential_Bad6489
  • Potential_Bad6489 https://www.reddit.com/r/AmITheJerk/comments/1q88snp/aitj_because_i_wont_give_my_parking_spot_to_new/ - I said sorry but I like my spot and want to keep it. She seemed shocked I said no.
    via Potential_Bad6489
  • Potential_Bad6489 https://www.reddit.com/r/AmITheJerk/comments/1q88snp/aitj_because_i_wont_give_my_parking_spot_to_new/ - She said "I have THREE KIDS under 5, you live alone, you don't NEED the close spot like I do." I told her parking is assigned and I'm not switching.
    via Potential_Bad6489
  • CODO IN Q7051
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  • Potential_Bad6489 https://www.reddit.com/r/AmITheJerk/comments/1q88snp/aitj_because_i_wont_give_my_parking_spot_to_new/ - She went to the landlord and tried to get him to force me to switch. Landlord told her spots are non- transferable unless both parties agree.
    via Potential_Bad6489
  • Potential_Bad6489 https://www.reddit.com/r/AmITheJerk/comments/1q88snp/aitj_because_i_wont_give_my_parking_spot_to_new/ - She came back to me AGAIN and said "please reconsider, your being really selfish here." I said no again and she's been giving me dirty looks ever since.
    via Potential_Bad6489
  • Potential_Bad6489 https://www.reddit.com/r/AmITheJerk/comments/1q88snp/aitj_because_i_wont_give_my_parking_spot_to_new/ - Yesterday she parked in MY spot and when I knocked on her door she said "oh I thought you'd be at work, I just needed to unload groceries quick." But her car was there for 3 hours.
    via Potential_Bad6489
  • Potential_Bad6489 https://www.reddit.com/r/AmITheJerk/comments/1q88snp/aitj_because_i_wont_give_my_parking_spot_to_new/ - My sister says I should just switch to be nice but my friend says if I give in she'll just keep pushing boundaries.
    via Potential_Bad6489
  • Potential_Bad6489 https://www.reddit.com/r/AmITheJerk/comments/1q88snp/aitj_because_i_wont_give_my_parking_spot_to_new/ - AITJ for not giving her my parking spot? TL;DR: New neighbor with 3 kids wants my assigned parking spot because it's closer to the building, I said no, she says I'm selfish and keeps parking in my spot anyway.
    via Potential_Bad6489
  • Either_Management813 NTJ and she's being ridiculous.
    via Either_Management813
  • Business_Election_89 Ask her to pay you. $100/month. Payable in advance, 12 months. If she parks in your spot, call a tow truck. Some people with kids really think we all owe them. Er, nope. Different paths, that is all.
    via Business_Election_89 A
  • Striking-Region-3620 Don't empower entitled people
    via Striking-Region-3620
  • klindy22 Even if it's "just for a few" - report her to the landlord. Have her towed. SO tired of people with kids acting entitled ... I have FOUR and I do not expect anything from anyone, they were my choice.
    via klindy22
  • Whole-Finger42 Why your spot? Why not 11? Or 10? Or 9?... something doesn't seem right here..
    via Whole-Finger42
  • Just Teaching_1369 NTJ! Take a photo everytime she does and report it to the landlord. Like the landlord says spots are non transferable unless both parties agree
    via Just Teaching_1369
  • imtarded23 assigned means assigned. you're not being selfish, you're respecting the system everyone else follows. if she wants a closer spot, she can ask the landlord about availability or wait for one to open up.
    via imtarded23
  • carmelfan NTA. If she had asked nicely, without the guilt-tripping, I probably would have considered it. But after that stunt of parking in your spot? No way.
    via carmelfan
  • JuiceEdawg NTJ. But she is a huge AH. If you don't nip her entitlement in the bud now it will keep happening. Have her car towed.
    via JuiceEdawg
  • Lambsenglish It's fine for her to ask, but it's not fine for her to expect. Tell her the next thing she should expect is building management clamping her shit.
    via Lambsenglish

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neighbors parking space kids parenting resident
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