"Renting out a parking space shouldn't be this complicated..." Topic

The new residence I moved to comes with a parking space, in contrast with the previous apartment where one would have to rent one out from the realty agency, and lacking a vehicle, I thought I'd rent it out. The renter, probably a college student, lives in the unit below and originally intended on payment up front by the 1st of each month and then park, but reconsidered on advice, so payment by the 25th and for the time being, two or three days for free.

There wasn't a hurry to receive the first payment, but a week passed and then another before I started calling. Her mom lives in Fitchburg, MA and after some discussion with both* over a lost check, probably never sent, the daughter writes two in front of me: one for September 25 to October 25 and the other October 25 to November 25 and assured me she had the funds to back it up, as she received a paycheck. Intended on depositing the latter on the 25th and the former immediately, as I had thought it was a good faith gesture from them. Deposited the former on the 14th of October and thinking the matter over with, I noticed it was on hold on the 17th and cancelled on the 18th, with a $12.00 penalty from the bank.

A call to her mom and was informed that she's on vacation, but her roommates are still their and using my space. Saturday the 22nd was when she was supposed to show up between 10 and 12 and pay in cash, but come 1 PM, no one showed up. A call to her mom, who doesn't seem to be with it or probably absent-minded, and explaining the bounced check and the bank fee, was informed that the daughter has the funds now and she showed up at my door a few minutes later with a friend. I was busy that day and didn't notice that she had handed me $125 USD, not $137 in cash and asked for a receipt and after handing back her 2nd check, as I no longer consider her credit worthy, was told that the second payment would be handed on Monday the 24th. She said she had no idea why the check bounced, but has the funds now.

I had forgotten to mention the $12.00 USD, although her mom had said $137.00 would be handed to me, and she had asked for a receipt, since I'm the one who has been making the good faith gestures for a month, I felt insulted, but printed out something out and left a message this morning about handing her it and one for the second payment, along with mention of the $12.00 at 9:20 AM. At around 10:30 AM, I get a call, pick it up, only to have it drop, so call back within a minute or two and am directed to voicemail – it's the mom's phone and no idea why she's calling, unless it's more BS.

I found a towing company and all I need to do is sign a contract with them, but want to avoid this, but it seems like an inevitability. I'm going to leave another message on the daughter's phone tonight and if no response is received by tomorrow the 25th, I'll have her vehicle and her roommates', whenever they use the space, removed and it'll be at their expense. Most open air parking spaces around here go for $150 USD-$200/mont and the realty at the previous apartment charged ~$180, so $125 is on the low end, yet I only now have the October payment. At this point, I consider bother untrustworthy and am considering options and consequences: since her door is at the bottom of the stairs, it's impossible to avoid passing the unit and mail is delivered only a few feet away. She told me she'll be here til May, but until then, I'm worried something might happen to packages left outside the mailbox. Even if she were to pay, would I have to deal with this every month? I had asked for checks originally and even mailed to me or slipped under the door, so as to avoid inconveniences, but now want cash, yet even this is a problem. The residents in the downstairs unit have no problem having late night parties every few days, but have difficulty being punctual with the payment and no idea why her roommates coughing up any funds.

Inconsequential, but the day I was showing her the parking space, when she opened her apartment door to exit, I noticed a large wall hanging of Che Guevara.

*Both have a habit of not answering their phones. I'd get a call on my cell and answer, but it's dropped, so I call back in a minute or two and am directed to voicemail. The mom's number is either her office phone or a home-office one, as I've had different people answer at times. Call dropping isn't something I've experienced frequently from anyone else but them.

On the Dick van Dyke show, his parents and Laura's parents were each holding a burial plot for him.
He got one from his union, and one from the Veteran's Administration.

He thought he would live on one and build on the others.

"Inconsequential, but the day I was showing her the parking space, when she opened her apartment door to exit, I noticed a large wall hanging of Che Guevara."

Then you are an evil land owner trying to oppress the people. Report immediately to the people's court for a speedy trial and execution.

Vince

Get a big packing strap with a lockable "come along" and wrap it round the car doors (over and under the car) so they can't use the car. If they leave the space, ask one of your neighbors to park in until they pay. (Or block access to it with Cinder blocks…)

Report immediately to the people's court for a speedy trial and execution.

Given the facts as stated, I'm sure Judge Millian would rule in your favor.

Judge Judy, too.

I noticed it was on hold on the 17th and cancelled on the 18th

If she, not the bank, cancelled the check, you probably have a case for fraud.

(no, I'm not a lawyer, buti like to watch People's Court/Judge Judy…)

Report immediately to the people's court for a speedy trial and execution.

Given the facts as stated, I'm sure Judge Millian would rule in your favor.

Judge Judy, too.

Court might involve fees and while the principle matters, since August, money has been hemorrhaging, especially the $1000 paid to rip-off whinging movers from one apartment to another, a three minute drive away.

All I need to do with a towing company is to sign a contract giving them permission to access the parking lot and the owner of the vehicle would be the one to foot the bill. I found one local company that's available 24/7 and another that's apparently the worst of the worst, based on the opinions of those who had their cars towed.

I noticed it was on hold on the 17th and cancelled on the 18th

If she, not the bank, cancelled the check, you probably have a case for fraud.

(no, I'm not a lawyer, buti like to watch People's Court/Judge Judy…)

The letter from the bank, with a copy of the check says:

The item(s) below, which were deposited to your account, have been returned unpaid. Therefore, we have charged them to your account. Please adjust your records by subtracting the total shown below.

At this point, trying to get money from them is like my mom trying to get child support from my dad during their marriage.

Get a big packing strap with a lockable "come along" and wrap it round the car doors (over and under the car) so they can't use the car. If they leave the space, ask one of your neighbors to park in until they pay. (Or block access to it with Cinder blocks…)

The problem is they'd make up a BS story about harassment and I don't know any of the neighbors. Since the parking spots have faded lines and no numbering, I had to call the landlord to confirm the location of the spot, as the there's an empty space next to mine.

Oh, the joy of being a landlord. It's even more fun than being a boss.

You're out the $12. Don't start a feud with a neighbor, not over $12 or your pride. Don't touch her car.

Do you have any written contract with this woman?

Tell this gal the arrangement is over. Get a better tenant. With a written contract.

I hate to say it, but Zippy probably has the best response.

One additional thought on the matter – get a new renter who will be able to take care of it himself if she tries to continue using the space.

Oh, the joy of being a landlord. It's even more fun than being a boss.

You're out the $12. Don't start a feud with a neighbor, not over $12 or your pride. Don't touch her car.

Do you have any written contract with this woman?

Tell this gal the arrangement is over. Get a better tenant. With a written contract.

Did prepare one, a few sentences which included a waiver of liability to her vehicle: the area is safe, but don't want to be held liable for hailstones or someone's snow plow. Never got round to handing it over, as I hadn't been paid yet and have been busy with repairs/modifications to the unit, something the landlord neglected to do and I assumed that residing in the same building, she'd be a bit more punctual about the matter. The mother tells me one thing and she tells me something else. According to the former, the latter has plenty of funds now, but other than the $125 for September/October, which had to be pried from her, I see no such indication.

I decided to write off the $12.00 and will be leaving a message tomorrow telling her to vacate the parking lot by midnight or have her and her roommates' cars towed, if ever they decide to use the space.

You are an evil capitalist. Trying to redistribute the hard earned wages of the student. Have you no shame?

Just kidding. Write up a note advising her that if she continues to use the parking space, it will be towed. Have her sign it. You sign it. Give her a copy. If she parks there again, call the towing company. BTW, on the note, annotate that you will not accept responsibility for any damages to the car. That way you are covered. No court costs unless she tries something. Then you have the note to CYA.

Watch out, or Occupy The Parking Space may show up. Stock up on Lysol.

Write up a note advising her that if she continues to use the parking space, it will be towed. Have her sign it. You sign it. Give her a copy. If she parks there again, call the towing company. BTW, on the note, annotate that you will not accept responsibility for any damages to the car. That way you are covered. No court costs unless she tries something. Then you have the note to CYA.

The problem is trying to get her to show up and sign it. I'll try the verbal route first, then do the above, as I don't think she's a squatter. There's always the possibility of refusal, but I'll still have her towed, as I've got the landlord's permission to rent out the space and was told that unauthorized vehicles could be removed on a word.

How does one type vertically in LibreOffice Writer? My brother did the last parking space ad. and I'd like to phrase it my way, but no idea how to arrange my phone number vertically in columns that will be strips to be torn off.

Do you own or rent the property?

If you rent, do you actually have any legal authority to sublet the parking space?

Just block the space with something and tell the unreliable renter to drop dead.
-Kle.

Do you own or rent the property?

Rent.

If you rent, do you actually have any legal authority to sublet the parking space?

The lease allows a single parking space and the owner himself said you could rent it out. In need of advice, I had asked him in person what price might be suitable and he said $150 USD, but decided $125 USD, as I thought the lower end – most parking space rents are $150 USD-$20 – would attract more calls, but made the mistake of posting the ad in the building's laundry room and in two neighboring pharmacies, the latter frequented by pensioners.

Just block the space with something and tell the unreliable renter to drop dead.

I would, but right now it's occupied by one of her roommates.

The problem is they'd make up a BS story about harassment and I don't know any of the neighbors.

But towing her car is OK?

The problem is they'd make up a BS story about harassment and I don't know any of the neighbors.

But towing her car is OK?

The difference is that they'd know why their car was removed and I won't be accused of scratching the paint job. A message was left on her phone saying that if she and her friends don't vacate the spot by the end of the day, any vehicles there will be towed. I won't be answering their calls anymore, considering how they haven't ever properly answered my calls.

Always get the cash up front.

I'd send her a new letter, certified, stating rent is due on the 25th of the month, for the following month, with a few days grace period (last day of the month, if you are so inclined).

Any vehicles occupying the space on the 1st of any month (12:01 AM), when rent hasn't been paid, will be immediately towed at the owner's expense.

Add in a $50 late penalty fee too.

You might even want to consider a 1st and last month's car parking space rental advance also, just for grins.

Well?

What happened?

Yes, inquiring minds want to know.