When it comes to potential issues between a landlord and a tenant, parking is the most problematic. This is especially true if space around your Wyoming rental property is limited or your tenants need parking for more than one or two vehicles. To avoid tenant frustration and maintain order in the parking area, it’s important to clearly outline the rules about vehicles and parking in your lease documents. Providing helpful parking solutions for your tenant is essential and a great way to enhance their rental experience.
Parking by the Rules
Every rental property is unique, which means that the availability of parking on or near your rental property will be unique to your situation. Include parking clauses in your lease agreement with tenants, regardless of what type of property you own or how much parking is available.
Most leases have restrictions on the number of vehicles a tenant can park in a driveway or nearby neighborhoods. Some leases forbid tenants from parking oversized or recreational vehicles on the property, such as boats and RVs. However, depending on your specific circumstances, it may be necessary for your lease to include additional provisions. Some neighborhoods allow residents to park on the street – some don’t.
It’s also important to clarify areas where tenants cannot park, such as in the yard, near dumpsters, or on a next-door property. By clearly laying out the parking rules and requirements, you may avoid many tenant disagreements about parking in the future.
Parking Solutions
Having parking rules alone may not always be sufficient to provide for the needs of tenants. Parking may be limited if your rental property is in an urban area. Even if your rental isn’t located in a city, circumstances may result in limited space for your tenants to park their vehicles. When faced with such situations, you need to look for creative ways to expand or upgrade your tenants’ parking options.
If your rental property consists of a single-family house with some land around it, you have several relatively inexpensive options for you to explore. If your property currently lacks covered parking or a garage, you might want to think about installing a carport near the house. Many carports are inexpensive but could make your rental home much more attractive to tenants. It may even add to your resale value. In general, renters prefer covered parking and are more likely to apply for a rental that offers it. Just check your area’s zoning laws before proceeding with any construction project.
If a carport is not ideal for your rental property or if it does not have a generously sized driveway, another relatively inexpensive option to add more parking would be to create an area designated for parking vehicles. This area could be adjacent to the property and doesn’t need to be costly. However, it is also imperative to keep curb appeal in mind. Consider converting the front yard into a parking lot to potentially increase tenant satisfaction. You might want to consider using a side or backyard area instead if you have one available.
Property owners need to get even more creative in developing reasonable parking solutions for rental properties with small yards, driveways, and narrow paths. One alternative is to rent parking from a neighbor or a nearby parking garage. If there happens to be a nearby property with available space that is not being used, it is possible that the owner would be open to the idea of leasing it for your tenant’s use.
Meeting all your tenants’ needs might seem problematic, but you’re not alone. Real Property Management Partners is available to assist you in finding innovative and professional solutions for your parking issues. We are here to offer you the expertise and assistance necessary to make your Wyoming rental property more appealing to renters while still ensuring their parking requirements are met. Contact us online or call 616-808-3088 today.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
