Good show on the plant, very clever. It will deter some people, definitely, but won't deter all. But it's still something.

Now about the parking spot.

You brought this upon yourself, the whole girl and her boyfriend thing and her friends. Sorry if this sounds harsh - but in the future you need to remember this...give 'em an inch, and they'll take a mile. It's true. They're not evil people. They're just trying to push as far as they can go. Not saying it's right.

Stop it with the passive-aggressive notes on the windshield. It doesn't solve anything. It's too impersonal. It would make a huge difference if you walked up their house, knocked on the door, and asked them to move the car, and please don't park there again. Ever. Or I charge you for the time you park there. You need to make it unpleasant enough for them - without undue conflict - that they won't want to do it again. If you intimidate her, she'll pull out her big bad boyfriend - but honestly I think you'd rather deal with a man than a woman, and I don't need to explain why.

You're making excuses with the whole "not wanting to charge" for the spot. These are the parking spots you get - treat them as such! They're yours, until you move out, thus stop being such a doormat about it.

LW,

Just ask yourself: What Would Daniel Plainview Do?

But seriously, you parking space is not for rent. That's it. You can express your regrets, but you basically don't owe anyone an explanation.

If your neighbor wants to think ill of you because you won't use your property on her terms, then what kind of good neighbor is she anyway?

You never know when you'll want a second car, or to have a live-in life partner of your own. You like being able to let your guests park for as long as they like.

But even if none of that was true...even if you just wanted to keep the space out of spite and tradition...you'd be well in your rights.

If all else fails, tell her it's against your religious faith to give up parking spaces and that if she persists, she will be offending your spiritual beliefs.

That usually works.

Just say you're sorry they won't be able to park there, because you've promised (or rented) the spot to a family member. No one can argue w/giving something to a family member. Yes, they'll see it empty on a regular basis, but they won't be able to take it up w/you, because it's the family member's spot. And they'll have no idea who that is.

LW, I so totally, completely understand where you're coming from! I'm in my second year in a condo (after owning several homes) and the worst part of condo living so far has been the unwanted involvement in the lives of my neighbours. I'm self-sufficient and introverted and I very much like my own space. I only have one parking space, and its all I need thank goodness, but I can easily imagine reacting exactly as you have. I understand you helping out people by letting them park there occasionally, but people being what they are they will take advantage, and your second parking spot rapidly becomes an intrusion on your peace and privacy rather than the convenience it was meant to be. I don't know the layout of your condo - some of the people in mine do own second spaces, and those second spaces are further away from the building - is it worth you parking in your second spot and walking the extra distance? And maybe putting a Private Parking Only sign in the one that is more obviously "yours"? If not I think you have no choice but to stand firm and be thought "difficult" by the neighbours. Realistically, if all you're doing with them is saying hello in passing who cares what they think?

If not a plant - maybe a bicycle rack (with or without bike)?

Seriously. Don't make something up. Don't invent fictional people or even plants to use the spot. Just tell your neighbor that unfortunately the spot isn't for rent, and that in the future if she wishes to use it she must ask you in advance first, or not at all.

Explain to her that you often have people who visit, and you often don't know well in advance that they are coming. As such, it is important for the space to always be free. Remind her that it is YOUR space. Say that perhaps so-and-so down the other end of Condo-Land might want to rent her the spot.

Be nice about it, but say No for crying out loud.

You're resentful because up until now you've been a doormat. Doormats get walked all over, and end up resentful.

If you say 'no' to her, maybe she'll be resentful... but hey, better her than YOU being resentful.

Interesting idea, but it probably runs afoul of condo association laws--and possibly municipal laws, too.

My condo association has a rule that says nothing other than cars, motorcyles and bikes can be stored in parking spaces. No storage sheds. No cans of leftover paint. No lumber. No garbage. No plants. Owners who put this stuff in their space run the risk of having the things tossed out by condo staff and getting fined. I think this is a pretty common rule.

It's my understanding that municipalities also have laws governing this sort of stuff. Our parking garage is an indoor lot, but the fire inspector has authority to issue tickets and fines to violators, even though the parking lot is private property.

Just because you want to enjoy (how ever the heck you want!) what you've paid for. Confrontation doesn't have to be a dirty word. Kill the neighbor, and everyone else, with kindness when you tell them that they can't park in your spot. It's yours. Luxuriate in it. Yes, in this day and age, parking is a luxury in many places.

Here's a thought: Why don't you park in each space every other day? If there are laws or CCR's or anything else you may run afoul of, don't put a doorstop/plant/garden gnome there. Just park in your spots every other day, or every three days, whatever you like. Just keep 'em guessing.