Yesterday night I've left my car on a private parking place (I didn't notice that it was private). The car was there for like 15 minutes. When I came back, before I left I found a sheet on my windscreen, saying: "You are on a private place of a doctor".

Am I about to be fined or it was just a warning? What's the usual procedure when you take someone else's place? I heard that the person can write you a fine (without police), is that true?

Never heard of that.

But now, if you need a doctor, you know where there's one

It looks like a polite notice to me, I would consider myself as having got off lightly.

Consider yourself lucky. In Britain there is a mob-like industry specialising in the clamping of vehicles left on private land, however briefly. Sometimes with the driver still in the car: http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...g+private+land

I have an indoor parking space in Switzerland that I paid CHF 50k to buy. A couple of weeks ago I found a stranger's car parked there, presumably by inadvertence. I did not let the air out of her tires as some people might have.

Yup - consider yourself lucky and dont do it again. The doctor has every right to call a tow company if you do it again as he has paid for the space.

Just a tip for anyone in the future:

There are also some companies who rent out their parking spaces to other services (like taxis) after business hours - there will be no signages telling you otherwise. I learnt a sharp lesson with the Yonex badmintonhalle near Hardbrucke when I parked the car there for a game and went for dinner afterwards. The staff in there didnt know about the arrangement and told me it was ok to do so, imagine my shock when I came back to find the spot where I parked my car empty. Cost me 450CHF to get the car back and fortunately, managed to get the money refunded after I spoke to the Badmintonhalle.

And that is not without a fight either.

__________________
Remember when someone annoys you, it takes 42 muscles to frown, BUT it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and b****-slap the mother-f***er upside the head.

Wouldn't that have been rather counterproductive as far as getting their car out of your parking space is concerned anyway? If that happened to me I'd just add a note to the windscreen saying "Sorry, four flat tyres, can't safely move vehicle until TCS get here.."

I'd be more concerned about how that person gained access to what is presumably a private garage.

After almost ten years living in the city of Zurich I can confirm that there is no such thing as free parking.

Last time I parked in a private space it cost me 700chf to get my car back. If you're going to offend, offend against your canton, not a private company.

Don't do it again, ok ?

Doc.

Our previous apartment block in Geneva each apartment had a reserved outside parking space, all numbered and signed "private". The block is large with approx. 50-60 parking spaces outside, but there were not a single one for visitors. There were constant issues people, presumably visitors to the block, parking in others reserved places (montly rent of these spaces ar in excess of 150 CHF). However I have not seen anyone calling the police or a towing company. There were notes left on windscreens or tooting horns though.

It does no harm to leave a note on your own car if you're feeling unsure to let people know where you are, eg, "Bei Familie Jakobson" or somesuch; better an irate knock on the door than a huge fine. Not recommended in public areas, though.

Does anyone know what, legally, I am allowed to do on the other side of this coin? I rent a parking spot that has (now) been occupied by some pr*ck for the past four days... I had my German friend write a nice note and put it on the windshield of the car. Note is gone but car is still there. And this normally wouldn't matter, but I have just bought a new (used) car and I would like to park it in *my* spot. We called the landlord and she is out of town for who knows how long. The person who called us back said he would talk to the higher-ups to see what could be done. They said "at some point" we could involve the police... But until then, what? I have to buy "daily" blue parking spots until this arse decides to vacate *my* spot? I want to tow the car. Can I?

If you have previous experience here, please help me out here. Thanks in advance.

they can add another one saying "no need, the tow truck is on it's way, the flat tires were just to make sure you couldn't get away without paying a fine. and it's gonna be a big one! X"

You are allowed to have the car removed and I believe you can also inform the police who may have it removed for you.

Even if it is on "private" property?

Just call the local police and ask them to tow it away. It might have been stolen, used in a robbery, and then dumped on your land. Or it might not. You have the right to access your property.

Find out who the car belongs to on the Traffic office database. Phone them up and tell them to move the car, or the busies will be involved.

Still, what about this "private fine" thing? Can you be fined somehow by the owner of the space?

And a somewhat related question: how do you know if you're allowed to park in the street or not? I know in busy areas there are the coloured zones, but in villages or some normal (not big) cities, there are no markings, especially in the residential areas, and there ARE cars parked. Can one just park there beside them? For example, on my street there are ALWAYS some cars parked in the street. Also, I've been in Aarau and left my car parked for a whole day in a residential area near a hedge, fearing I'd get a fine or something. When I came back there was no fine and some more cars parked alongside

We have also used the police in this case. We have a long parking space which would fit in our car and something like a Smart car if it squished up enough. Two summers ago some knobhead parked behind us, effectively blocking our own car in our own space .

Very helpful and sympathetic policeman arrived who handled it all. Don't know exactly what happened as my husband dealt with it all whilst I quietly fumed back at home, but it seems silly-chops who blocked us in got landed with a big fat towing bill plus the inconvenience of ringing the police to find his car. Don't care about fine - the faff and expense it caused for him was enough to put a smile back on my face.

JLF, you mean the smiley face didnt work???

You have a contract to say that the spot belongs to you right? Its rightfully yours. Call the police or a private tow company - dont wait. I'd try the police first cos I am sure private tow companies charge. That lovely note M wrote obviously didnt work, some people just need to learn things the hard way.