Sep 30, 2016 By Harriette Cole 2 min read

DEAR HARRIETTE: I live in an apartment complex that houses 20 people. There was an option to pay extra for one of the 10 parking spots immediately in front of my apartment. I did that, but I often come home to find my neighbors parked in my spot. I want to keep our relationship positive, but the temptation to get the car towed is getting stronger and stronger. How can I courteously deal with the vagrant who keeps taking my parking spot? — I Paid for This, Pikesville, Maryland

DEAR I PAID FOR THIS: Here’s a time to go directly to management. The negotiation that you made with your building occurred through a legal contract with the management. Take pictures to prove that someone is parking in your space. Watch the space for a week, and document what cars are coming and going. Provide your images and complaint to your super, and ask to have it remedied. Trust that the people who are using your space know that they are not allowed to do so. If necessary, ask your super to put a cone in your space that you remove when you park your car. Also, ask for reimbursement for the days you were unable to park there.