Question about condo parking. (house, purchase, tenants)

[uhhdorkable]

I live in a condo that my fiance bought a couple of years ago. Included are 2 parking spaces. My fiance has been parking his motorcycle infront of his car within the parking space lines. I'm just wondering if the parking space is our property or a "common area" in the condo. We're having some problems with our condo board. They're saying we can't park the motorcycle infront of the car. Even though it's within our parking space. I'm wondering what rights do we have as condo owners?

[SkyBob]

I've never lived in a condo but it is my assumption that condo boards exert as much authority as they think they can get away with. You say you have rights to two parking spaces, but the condo board might think you only have rights to park two vehicles.

If the car and the motorcycle are both in the same space and you can demonstrate that the area used up by the two is the same or less than somebody's Oldsmobile, then you need to get snotty with them and make them show you legalese to say they're right. You should have been given a copy of the association rules when you moved in. Get lots of coffee and read it through several times.

Bob

[Jungjohann]

If your condo has assigned parking, then it should be fairly obvious as to where you can park. If there is a parking limitation, as in one parking place per condo, then you can't take up two spots. Anyways, it always irritates me when someone takes what is essentially a bike with a motor on it and occupies a full parking space. Maybe you've ruffled a few feathers. Not part of the Aloha spirit to be greedy, even with parking places. Just a thought,,,,,,,

Aloha and okolemaluna

[SkyBob]

Originally Posted by Jungjohann

If your condo has assigned parking, then it should be fairly obvious as to where you can park. If there is a parking limitation, as in one parking place per condo, then you can't take up two spots. Anyways, it always irritates me when someone takes what is essentially a bike with a motor on it and occupies a full parking space. Maybe you've ruffled a few feathers. Not part of the Aloha spirit to be greedy, even with parking places. Just a thought,,,,,,,

Aloha and okolemaluna

Read her note again. She says included with the purchase of the condo was two parking spaces. It doesn't sound like she's being greedy. On the contrary, she is putting two vehicles in one space.

[uhhdorkable]

Originally Posted by SkyBob

Read her note again. She says included with the purchase of the condo was two parking spaces. It doesn't sound like she's being greedy. On the contrary, she is putting two vehicles in one space.

thanks skybob for reading my post acurately. i've read the condo rules before and it says nothing about having 2 vehicles in 1 stall. we get along with everyone and make it a point a be extra friendly since it is a small building but it seems like some people are out to get us. in our old condo a lot of people parked a motorcycle in back of their car. i guess we shouldn't have moved into a building with a bunch of old people. anyways thanks to everyone for their input!

[Jungjohann]

Sorry I missed the "included" part. There's no reason for them to get on you about taking up two parking spots. Just go to your resident manager, sure they will straighten things out. One of the things about living in a "condo" enviornment, is that there are always going to be a few folks who aren't going to like whatever you do,,,,,, keeps em busy,,,,,,

Aloha and okolemaluna

[KonaKat]

Have they "noticed" you officially with a letter from the Board citing the the rule you are breaking, giving you some deadline and/or penalty for noncompliance? If not, if it's just been words, then I'm thinking the issue is not addressed per se, in the rules. I many condo house rules that I have read, motocycles and scooters are specifically addressed in that IF the scooter/bike can be parked in the space and allow a car to park with neither taking up more space than is allowed (not going over the lines etc), then it's allowed.

Sounds like you have the typical big duck in little puddle situation going on coupled with folks who really need to get a life. Good luck.

[mhs92]

FIrst, read your Declaration and the read the rules.

Of course, condo boards are notorious for only following the Declaration when they choose to, but nevertheless, read the documents.

Here's my 'guess', based on our condo. Your parking is probably limited common (LC), meaning common, but for your exclusive use. The spaces are probably restricted to parking vehicles, only. Not storage, for example.

I would not be surprised if parking a bicycle or motorbike in the space, together with a vehicle is a violation of your rules. The logic, I suppose, is that one of the two vehicles would extend out farther than expected. So, if another resident backs into the overhanging vehicle, there may be a legitimate dispute over responsiblity.

But, when you read the rules, I'll bet you find other violations. Then, you could try the 'why me and not them, too' approach.

Is it okay for a Board to pick and choose which parking rules to apply? Probably not, but they probably think it is. And, what reasonably should you do about it, except to note that they are arbitrary, self-motivated, biased, and perhaps idiots.

My experience is that Boards think their authority is somewhat unlimited, without regard to limitation of Declarations or laws. But, give it a try and let us know how it works out.

[Koale]

The next unit over parks 10 motorcycles and 1 VW bug in one of their spots, no overhang, they fit just jine, and 2 VW bugs and 7 motorcycle in their second 'assigned' parking spot, still no overhang and those also fit just as well. Now what ????? I think it's common sense and common courtesy to all the other tenants. One vehicle per assigned parking spot. That's my guess.
Koale

[mdand3boys]

Is the motorcycle loud? If so, that may be why you are being singled out.