Make room for the other version
Ask what the other person understood before assuming that you are arguing about the same facts. For a message about how to apologize for using a neighbor's parking spot, use this factual base: state the date, place, property, noise, pet, or shared-space impact without arguing about the neighbor's character.
Correct the record precisely
Correct only what you can support, acknowledge any real impact, and propose a practical way to prevent repetition. Offer cleanup, replacement, access, a schedule, or another practical remedy you can complete. Make the immediate next step clear enough that the recipient can answer without reconstructing the entire history.
Agree on a testable next step
Do not threaten, shame the neighbor publicly, or involve the whole building in a private issue. Use property management, local authorities, or emergency services for genuine danger rather than confronting someone unsafely. Do not recruit an audience, publish private evidence, or turn a misunderstanding into a campaign about character.