Here’s How To Negotiate For A Parking Space At Your LA Apartment
Los Angeles has always had a parking problem since the early 1900s. For decades, people who lived in an apartment complex in popular LA neighborhoods would spend most of the evening cruising around the neighborhood looking for a spot to park. Not only did they risk getting their car stolen or damaged, but they also experienced getting parking tickets several times a month.
Nowadays, things have gotten slightly better since 14% of L.A. County’s incorporated land has been devoted to parking spots. Moreover, since developers are required to produce a minimum number of parking spaces, this means that those who live in a studio apartment will have at least one parking spot– even if they didn’t have a car or didn’t want a parking space. But what if you have more than one vehicle and you need space for it? For that, you’ll need to communicate with your property manager. Here’s how to negotiate for a parking space at your LA apartment.
Do Your Research
The cost of renting a parking spot varies depending on your area. The price is usually dictated by supply and demand and type of parking lot or garage, so you need to do your research so you have room to negotiate. Typically, parking prices range from $130 to $650 per month. Note that indoor garages in high traffic areas in LA tend to cost more than others since they’re so in demand.
You should also know that not all parking garages in LA apartment complexes have parking with elderly accessibility. Moreover, some apartments don’t have accessible parking for those with mobility problems. This is the case in most of the older buildings in the city, so if you’re an older adult or a person with a disability, you’ll need to find out if your apartment complex has accessible parking for your safety and convenience.
Get on the Waiting List
The next thing that you have to do to secure a parking space is to talk to your property manager. Ask if there’s a vacant parking lot within your apartment complex at the moment. If not, ask if the developer offers parking spots in a different building. If there are no vacant spots right now, tell your property manager that you’d like to get on the waiting list. Make sure to find out how long it would take for you to get a parking spot so you can make different arrangements for the meantime.
Negotiate the Price
Some LA apartment complexes have fixed fees on parking spots, so trying to get your property manager to lower your fee can be a challenge. However, there’s no harm in trying, so make sure that you’re armed with figures and evidence before you negotiate. For instance, say you’ve done your research and you found out that the monthly fee for nearby parking spots cost lower than what your apartment complex charges. Present the figures from your research, then ask if they can match the price.
You could also see if they’re willing to work with your budget. Tell your property manager the amount that you’re able to pay every month, then ask if they could lower the parking spot fee to match your range. There’s also a chance that you could get a lower price if you agree to a long-term lease for the parking space, so ask if that’s possible, then let your property manager draft the contract based on your agreement.
Getting additional parking space in LA can be stressful. But by doing your research and communicating with your property manager, you can get a safe place for your car that’s within your budget.
