Exploring the nature of conflicts over parking in Singapore’s private estates and how they reflect wider social tensions
Fighting over parking in private estates is as timeless in Singapore as complaints about unpredictable cai fan prices. Actress and presenter Jade Seah recently shared her experience of receiving a note left on her windshield, which read: “Please do not park here. Let those who stay here park here. Thank you.” The note stirred up a discussion about whether parking spots in private estates should be reserved for residents and whether these conflicts reflect the ongoing social divide in Singapore.
This situation is not isolated. Jade’s story sparked another driver to share their experience at Meragi Close, where they received a similarly worded note. These grievances about private estate owners preventing non-residents from parking in public spaces have been around for over a decade, with online complaints dating back to 2010.
Legally, public roads in private estates are open for use by anyone, but homeowners argue that non-residents overcrowd these spaces. This leads to a tug-of-war between the two parties, with neither willing to compromise, resulting in passive-aggressive behaviors when authorities do not intervene.
A frequent defense in these disputes is the “first come, first serve” rule. Singaporeans are notorious for rushing to claim anything that might be limited, from concert tickets to seats in hawker centers. Some private estate homeowners even go as far as using traffic cones or rubbish bins to mark their parking spots, showcasing a more extreme form of “chope” culture.
While the “first come, first serve” rule is common in public areas like hawker centers, the practice is not as acceptable in the context of parking spots. Parking a car in one spot for an entire day just to “chope” it crosses the line of acceptable behavior, especially in a public space.
Despite the legal arguments, private estate homeowners have valid concerns. Maneuvering through narrow streets in estates, especially when other cars block the way, can be frustrating. This is especially true when drivers block entrances or park inconsiderately, making it difficult for homeowners to access their own properties.
Some residents have had their cars damaged, like actress Cynthia Koh, whose car was vandalized after parking in a private estate. This escalating frustration can sometimes lead to extreme responses, including slashed tires and scratched bonnets, which, although understandable, cross the line from passive-aggressive to outright malicious behavior.
On a legal level, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) deems public roads in private estates accessible to everyone. However, just because something is legal does not always make it the right thing to do. Similar to how residents may not want strangers leaving items outside their doors, parking in these spaces, while legal, can still infringe on a homeowner’s sense of entitlement to their environment.
Ultimately, both sides feel entitled to use these spaces—residents believe they should have priority, while non-residents argue they have the right to park on public roads. When legal avenues don’t provide a solution, Singaporeans often resort to passive-aggressive tactics, as illustrated in these ongoing parking disputes.
