Parking space invaders
Last year before the move-in, one of my to-be-neighbours called me to ask if I needed a parking space. There are only as many parking spaces as there are condos (which is really stupid) so they were hoping I would give up my space. Well, I said I didn’t mind if they said I was willing to give up my space cause I didn’t need it.
She just called again, because we were asked to return a paper requesting a parking space or to tell if we didn’t need one. I put that I don’t need a space because I don’t, and I frankly didn’t even remember the “deal” (there was no special arrangement, I didn’t pay for the space so they didn’t pay for it to me). I asked if there are many other families with two cars and she told me there are a couple. When I told her I had already stated I didn’t need a space and that I think it’s fair if the families who’ve had to park one car on the street have a chance of getting a proper space this year (there will be a draw), she suddenly sounded very annoyed and was quick to end the call. Sorry, but there’s really no reason for me to help them getting an extra space. I did it last year out of shock (why did she call me and how did she get my phone number) and kindness.
Acutually, you did pay for that space. It’s just that the cost of the parking space was included in the price you paid for your condo.
It may cost up to 50 000 euros to build a parking space in Finland. These building costs are paid by everybody who buys a condo in a new building.
So there really is no such thing as a “free” parking space: if your building had more parking spaces, you would have paid more for your home.
http://www.hs.fi/grafiikka/1135243963720
http://www.soininvaara.fi/2009/02/03/pysakointipolitiikan-hahmottelua/
Ah, well, what I meant was that using the parking space costs a certain amount per year and the ones with a roof over them cost a little more. I didn’t pay that fee.
I paid for a lot of things around here that I don’t use: the laundry room, the sandbox, the seesaw, the elevator, the stairs, the bike storage, the pram storage…