THIS neighbour has been stealing the best parking spot for months—and you can’t do a thing

You’ve circled the block for the third time, heart racing as you hunt for a parking spot near your home.

And then you see it—that same bloody van parked outside number 42 again.

It’s like the universe is playing a cruel joke on you.

For one Sydney woman, this daily struggle escalated into an online plea that resonated with city dwellers nationwide.

Her neighbour, with three vehicles and a garage, had been playing musical cars for over a year, effectively claiming the best street parking spot for themselves.

Residents were left circling endlessly while prime spots remained off-limits.

The loophole at play was surprisingly simple and legal.

Councils across Australia set 30-day limits on street parking to prevent vehicle abandonment, but this clever neighbour swapped cars every 29 days.

They technically obeyed the law while monopolising a public resource, leaving others frustrated.

What makes the story even more galling is that the couple had a garage but chose to use street parking instead, effectively blocking neighbours from spaces they could legally occupy.

Reddit users shared their small victories over such parking monopolists.

Understanding Parking Laws

Understanding Australian parking law helps before plotting any action.

Time limits on signs apply only during the indicated days and times.

Outside those times, parking is allowed unless another sign forbids it.

Councils implement these rules to ensure fair access, prevent long-term vehicle storage, and maintain safe, efficient streets.

Council Solutions

Resident parking permits are one council solution.

Permit holders can park without charge or time restrictions in designated areas, and lobbying for permit zones is often effective.

Senior Considerations

Senior Australians face extra challenges in parking disputes.

Those with mobility concerns can use a current Mobility Parking Scheme (MPS) permit to park in designated areas or extend time limits in standard zones.

MPS permits also allow up to five-minute stops in no-stopping zones when dropping off or picking up passengers with a disability.

Creative Solutions From Residents

Across Australia, residents have shared creative ways to reclaim parking spots.

A Melbourne resident recalled waiting until their neighbour was switching cars late at night and casually rolling into the coveted spot.

Another in Sydney described a neighbour juggling cars, a motorbike, a boat, and a trailer, with drama unfolding at 5:00 am.

Victory came when they parked a work vehicle in front of the boat trailer, delighting in their small triumph.

Your Options

Residents have options ranging from diplomatic to decisive.

A friendly conversation might resolve issues without conflict.

Otherwise, documenting dates and photos and contacting your council can lead to permit zones, revised time limits, or additional signage.

Strategically learning your neighbour’s routine can also help you legally claim the spot when it becomes available.

This saga reflects a larger urban challenge: balancing public space access with residents’ needs in increasingly dense Australian cities.

Until better planning and regulations arrive, the daily battle for parking continues—a test of patience, persistence, and sometimes, cunning.

If the parking battles on your street feel familiar, you’re not alone in facing neighbours who push the limits of the rules.

Some disputes can even come with a hefty price tag, showing just how far tensions can escalate over a seemingly simple parking spot.

For another real-life example of frustration, strategy, and unexpected costs, this story highlights what can happen when neighbourly patience runs out.

Read more: THIS $600 parking dispute proves neighbours can really test your patience...and wallet

Have you ever felt trapped in the endless circle of city parking—and what did you do to reclaim your space?