Tenant discovered their $75-a-month parking spot was also assigned to someone else — management came up with a solution neither tenant expected
There is nothing more frustrating than paying for something that you can't fully use. One tenant recently faced this exact problem when the parking spot they paid for was used by someone else. After seeing another car in their assigned parking space, they left a polite note, and the driver apologized. However, a brief meeting with the driver made the tenant realize that the problem was much bigger. They learned both their leases listed the same parking spot in the building. This incident was shared by Reddit user u/Remote_Trouble_5052 on November 11, 2026, after the two residents took the issue to their apartment's leasing office.
(AZ) Apartment complex rented my parking spot to another tenant and their solution is ridiculous
by u/Remote_Trouble_5052 in Renters
After taking this problem to the management, the staff admitted that they made an error while assigning spaces, leaving both residents with the same designated spot. However, instead of finding another parking spot for one tenant, the staff suggested that the two residents park their vehicles on alternate weeks. They were even asked to create a schedule so that each person would know when they could use spot 14. The tenant explained that they had been paying $75 monthly for the covered space. Under the proposed plan, they would still pay the full amount but could only use it on alternate weeks. The tenant questioned why the monthly fee could not be reduced if access was limited to alternate weeks. Management reportedly replied that the parking charge was part of their lease and could not be changed.
The management's answer frustrated the individual, as neither resident had caused the mistake, but both were expected to work out an arrangement themselves. At the end of the post, the annoyed tenant asked whether management should resolve the issue instead of making two tenants negotiate over a space they were both paying for.
Research also shows that residential parking can be a pressure when spaces are limited. A 2026 US research synthesis, Residential Curb Management, examines competition for curb space and different parking policies. It explains that when parking is not managed properly, finding a spot becomes harder in busy neighborhoods, while better management may improve access. Although the report focuses on public street parking, it shows why clear rules matter. In this case, the two tenants were left sharing one parking spot until one of them moved out.
Disputes over paid parking spaces can be frustrating, but one tenant found an unexpected way to deal with this. After moving into an apartment, they realized they were paying extra for an underground parking spot they never used, as they didn't own a car. Their landlord declined their request to remove the fee and allowed them to rent the space to someone else. When another resident needed parking for his girlfriend, the tenant offered the spot. The arrangement continued even after the first renter moved out, with someone else taking over. Within seven months, they had earned more than $1,000, making good use of the designated parking space.
For more interesting stories, follow u/Remote_Trouble_5052 on their Reddit account.