Aussie family’s battle over ‘stolen’ car spot

A furious mother has detailed the lengths she went to in order to reclaim her car spot after it was taken by another driver in her apartment block.

An Aussie family has documented their parking woes in a series of videos posted on social media after a driver took their designated spot.

Jimmy Mitchell and his wife Pauline are known on social media for their travels through South-East Asia with their two young sons — a move they undertook after fleeing Western Australia due to the cost of living crisis.

They frequently post videos of their adventures on TikTok where they are known as the Moth Family.

It is understood they returned to Australia in January and they were recently left less than impressed when a driver decided to park in their reserved car space within a residential building on the weekend.

“Some cheeky person decided that they would steal my spot today,” Mrs Mitchell said.

She went on to explain just how much this move had interrupted her day.

“So I’ve got my takeaway, I’ve had to go all the way to security to get a pass to put on the front of my car to say that I’m allowed to park downstairs in the carpark but now he has to go up there, wheel clamp the car that’s there and I have to walk around to the elevator and go back up to my floor.

“So hopefully by tomorrow by they have moved their car because they will be wheel clamped and I will be able to park in my spot.

“I know it seems petty but it’s just a little bit annoying that that’s your spot and someone else has parked in it, so yeah, fun times.”

She said everyone in her apartment block is designated a spot in the secured lot, which is only accessible by a tenant key card, and that’s the only spot they are allowed to park in.

A mother has shared her battle to reclaim her parking space. Picture: TikTok

The frustrated mother said, until her spot is free again, she is having to park in the business parking area.

“The reason why I’m getting so annoyed is yes it’s an inconvenience and it is also a secured lot in here,” she explained. “My car is now parked outside in the business lot and that is not secure at all that is literally street parking and because we are hiring that car I would prefer that car to be in a secure spot.”

Later came a surprise twist. Her own car ended up with a notice on it saying it was clamped. It turns out their car was clamped overnight by a security guard who was unaware she had been granted permission to park in the business area.

Towards the end of the day she posted an update saying the car had been moved at 5pm.

“Yay, we have our spot back!” she said.

“It’s gone on for a whole day, this other car was in here so we’ve got it back now so hopefully we don’t have any more issues.”

Pauline explained that they pay for the space and they should be able to use it. Picture: Moth family/TikTok

The moment the car space is reclaimed by the family. Picture: Moth family/TikTok

Many commenters sympathised with the family’s parking predicament.

“Happens all the time in my apartment building. Live in the CBD and there is only paid street parking with a two-hour limit lol,” one person wrote.

Another said: “We had a designated car park right next to the lift. People would park directly behind us, completely blocking us in thinking it was OK? One guy said ‘it’s an emergency’. So now you’re causing one?”

While a third wrote: “That’s not petty at all. Someone taking your carpark is entitled. I’d do the same as you, that’s a lesson to learn for the entitled carparker. Best of luck!”

Others wrote: “How frustrating and annoying!”

Meanwhile, other people said it was making a mountain out of a molehill.

“First world problems,” one person said.

“Just park in one of the other empty spots sheesh,” said another.

Originally published as Aussie family’s battle over ‘stolen’ car spot