5 Parking Lot Tips to Keep Your Tenants Happy
You may not realize how valuable a good apartment building parking lot is for attracting and keeping quality tenants. A parking lot is one of the largest aspects of your outside appearance, and it’s the first thing tenants interact with on your property.
So, how can you make the best use of your complex’s parking area? Here are five tips for any size location.
1. Make a Parking Plan
The first step in creating a functional and enjoyable parking experience is to formulate a plan before you start work on the parking lot. Whether it’s a new lot or the renovation of an existing one, planning will help you get the most use from the area and avoid common problems.
Apartment complex parking lots can be difficult to plan because they tend to be more closed off than other lots and many tenants will be coming and going at the same time. Try to avoid squeezing the most spaces into a minimal space as this can cause driver conflicts.
2. Include Different Spaces
Many building owners designate one or two spaces for each unit, but this may vary based on how many bedrooms are in the apartments and how much space is available. If possible, include one covered space for an added bonus. In addition, you will also need to put in at least the legally required number of handicapped spaces and some visitor spaces. Make them easy to find and use.
And today’s modern tenants will also appreciate it if you install spaces for things like motorcycles, oversize vehicles, and bicycle parking. If your building is near public transportation, you can appeal to tenants who don’t drive and reduce parking needs by creating good access to public transit.
3. Write Down the Rules
Every complex should have a set of rules for using the parking areas so that everyone is on the same page. Determine your rules before you begin using the lot, if possible, and work with your attorney to write them into tenant contracts.
These rules should likely include things like how you will track which vehicles are allowed, how long vehicles can be left, how to use the shared spaces, and what the procedures are for vehicles which violate the rules. Don’t surprise your tenants, and make sure signs are clearly posted.
4. Enforce the Rules
Once you have a set of rules and inform your tenants of them, your job is to enforce them. Being lax about people who take advantage of the parking area is a quick way to lose good tenants and get a reputation as a careless landlord. If you don’t enforce the rules, the likelihood of problems between tenants will increase, and tenants might think you will ignore other rules.
5. Keep It Maintained
Schedule time and budget regularly for parking lot maintenance to keep it ship-shape. This includes simple maintenance tasks like clearing snow, debris, and greenery away and sealing cracks before they get larger. You should also work with a parking lot paving company to develop a schedule for resealing and painting stripes.
When you need to do parking lot maintenance, notify tenants well in advance and let them know the benefit they will get from the work. While performing such maintenance, use the opportunity to assess how well your current parking lot plan is working. If things need adjusting to work better, be open to doing so.
By paying attention to your parking lot, you make an investment of time and money that will reap rewards for years to come. For help with all your parking lot planning and maintenance needs, contact the pros at Paving & Construction Co, Inc. today.
