Moving into a new apartment complex can be a bit like starting at a new school—there’s the excitement of a fresh start, the hope of friendly neighbours, and, sometimes, the awkwardness of not quite knowing all the unwritten rules.

But for one Aussie resident, their first week in a new home took a dramatic turn thanks to a flurry of sticky notes and a classic case of mistaken identity in the car park.



Let’s set the scene: our protagonist had just settled into their new digs, enjoying the peace and quiet, when suddenly, their car became the centre of a neighbourhood storm. Returning to their vehicle, they found it plastered with a series of increasingly irate sticky notes. The messages ranged from stern reminders to full-blown accusations:

- 'RESPECT YOUR NEIGHBOUR and stop parking in their paid, assigned spot. It’s just rude!'
- 'I’ve tried to be kind but you ignored my note. You could’ve been towed [over] a week ago. PLEASE let me park in the spot I’ve had for years! Thanks!'
- 'I PAY FOR THIS SPOT and would like to use it. Please and thank you.'
- 'NOT YOUR SPOT. PLEASE STOP taking it! THANK YOU.'

Talk about a frosty welcome! The resident, understandably rattled, was left wondering if they’d made a rookie mistake and parked in the wrong spot.

But here’s where the story takes a turn for the better—and a lesson for us all.



Instead of firing off a retaliatory note or stewing in confusion, the resident did the sensible thing: they went straight to the building office to confirm their parking assignment.

The verdict? They were indeed parked in their rightful spot. Crisis averted!

Armed with this knowledge, the resident decided to clear the air. They removed the angry notes and left a polite message of their own: 'I checked with the office and this is my spot. You should check with them too.'

Hours later, their note had disappeared—and, thankfully, so had the drama. No new notes appeared, and peace was restored.



The incident quickly became a hot topic online, with commenters divided between outrage and amusement.

Many felt the note-leaver had jumped the gun, with one person quipping, '‘Respect Your Neighbours’ proceeds to leave you passive aggressive notes.'

Another added, 'That’s so embarrassing for them. They should leave an apology note or come up and apologise in person.'

Some even speculated that the notes might have been intended for someone else entirely. 'Given that one of the notes refers to previous notes that have been ignored, I’m betting that they sent their kid(s) out to land this series of notes and the kid(s) left them on the wrong car by mistake,' mused one commenter.

Another wondered if the notes had been recycled from another car altogether.



This sticky-note saga is a timely reminder of the importance of clear communication and a little neighbourly patience.

Apartment complexes can be a minefield of misunderstandings—especially when it comes to shared spaces like car parks, laundry rooms, and communal gardens.

Here are a few tips to keep the peace with your neighbours:

1. Double-Check Before You Act: If you think someone’s in your spot, confirm with building management before leaving a note (especially an angry one!).
2. Be Polite and Direct: If you do need to communicate, a friendly face-to-face chat is almost always better than a passive-aggressive note.
3. Assume Good Intentions: Mistakes happen, especially when people are new. A little understanding goes a long way.
4. Know Your Rights: If you’re unsure about your parking spot or any other building rule, don’t hesitate to ask the office for clarification.

Read more: What would you do? Woman captures jaw-dropping moment in viral car park clash


Have you ever been on the receiving end of a mysterious note, or accidentally ruffled feathers in your building? How did you resolve it? Share your experiences in the comments below!