Living in an apartment has its benefits, such as minimal maintenance, convenience, and sometimes access to amenities that would otherwise be unaffordable. However, apartment parking can be a nightmare, especially when space is limited and the management team doesn’t have a decent parking policy in place.
One of the most common frustrations tenants face is inadequate parking. You come home late from work or school, and parking isn’t anywhere close to your apartment. What’s even worse is when you have to park in a different lot and walk home, leaving you vulnerable to the elements or potential danger.
Here are a few tips you can use to maximize your apartment parking potential:
Get to Know Your Apartment Parking Policy
Before you move into your apartment, get familiar with the parking policy of your building. Do they reserve parking spots, and if so, how many spaces are available per apartment? Can you rent a garage or covered space? When is guest parking allowed, and what’s the maximum duration they can park?
Use Your Parking Space to Your Best Advantage
Once you have a designated parking spot, use it to your advantage. Before you park, consider reversing your car into the spot so that it’s easier to get out when you’re ready to leave. To avoid your car getting hit by other vehicles, park at an angle with the driver’s side door close to a wall. Don’t let the space go unused; you are the only one authorized to park there, so don’t hesitate to use it.
Be Punctual, and Remember Your Neighbors
If you come home late and find all designated parking spots occupied, you might be tempted to park anywhere you find suitable. This is a Big No-No. You may not get caught, but remember, you’re not the only tenant living in that apartment block. By failing to obey parking regulations, you’re taking someone else’s space and reducing their parking potential. Be courteous, and try to park where you’re supposed to.
Be Respectful of Others’ Parking Spots
Never park an unassigned car in another resident’s spot, not even for a few seconds. It’s just rude. If you have permit stickers for your car, remember to put them on the top of your dashboard, so it’s clear that you’re authorized to park there.
Limit the Number of Cars You Own
Apartments often come with a limited number of parking spaces per resident. If you don’t have a reserved parking spot, and you own multiple cars, the chances are that you won’t be able to park all of them at your apartment. Consider selling one of the cars and investing that money into a parking spot or a covered garage. This way, you’ll have a designated space and a better chance of locking up your car securely. Further, it prevents your neighbors from having to compete for unassigned parking spaces.
Carpool
If you’re living with someone else in your apartment, why not carpool? Besides reducing your rent costs, you’ll also reduce the number of cars that need to park at a given time.
Speak to Management
If there’s an issue with parking on your property, reach out to the property management team. Suggest ideas on how to make the parking situation better, such as building another parking lot, increasing reserved parking spots, etc. Make them aware that there’s an issue and that there are ways to solve it. Proactive communication is always better than reactive. Property managers are keen to keep tenants satisfied, and if you have a reasonable suggestion, they will likely consider it.
Maximizing your apartment parking potential requires a certain level of commitment. By adhering to the policies outlined by your management team, being punctual, respectful, and proactive, you’ll make life easier for yourself and your neighbors. Lastly, remember that the earlier you embrace a policy of cooperation and open communication, the better the parking situation will be for you and everyone else living in your apartment block.