As multiple cars become more prevalent within households, the amount of parking demand increases too. For multi-unit properties, this quickly becomes a headache. Parking is often sacrificed or put to the backburner, unknowingly creating a long term burden for property managers and residents. This headache is often time consuming, cumbersome, and results in a negative resident experience.
The Most Common Parking Problems
How many times has a resident gone to park in resident parking and there hasn’t been any open spaces? How many times have guests visited a property and haven’t been able to utilize guest parking because residents are occupying all of the spots? Available parking spaces only scratches the surface.
Multi-unit properties oftentimes lack the security needed to enforce and maintain parking grievances. There could be unauthorized vehicles occupying spaces on the property not belonging to residents and who are not guests There could be an issue with consistent enforcement of vehicles violating established parking regulations. Or there could be inaccurate data that isn’t able to depict what cars are credentialed and which ones aren’t. These problems create angry residents and the property managers are the ones left to deal with it.
5 Actual Solutions YOU can Implement
1. Establish Clear Guest Parking Areas
It is an expectation for visitors to have designated parking and it should not be difficult for drivers to find. Property managers should ensure there are visible signs posted on their properties establishing the designated parking areas and any rules that may be in place for those specified stalls. These signs should be easy to read, direct, and to the point. Because each property is unique, property managers should do research to figure out which signage options are best for their property and be sure to comply with local laws and regulations. In some cases, there are specific laws as to how or when a vehicle is allowed to be towed from private property. I Also, before ordering and posting signs, property managers should consider the layout and terrain of their property and determine what signs would be most effective. If needed, property managers should consider re-striping or re-painting parking stalls to clearly mark designated stalls or to even create additional parking. Re-striping should be done regularly to combat the paint fade.
2. Be Consistent with parking enforcement
A main reason unauthorized vehicles are abusing parking is because of the lack of enforcement. Parking enforcement does not need to fall solely on property managers. With Reliant Parking, residents play a role. With our app-based technology, residents are empowered to report “someone is in my space” if they have an assigned parking space. Through the app, the report is sent directly to the property’s partnered towing company. Before partnering with a towing company, property managers need to do diligence in ensuring the towing company is licensed, insured, and has experience working with similar properties. Between residents and property managers, parking enforcement becomes a team effort.
To begin parking enforcement, make sure all parking permits are up to date and valid. Property managers should consider giving a grace period to residents and issue warnings for the initial roll-out period. Once parking enforcement has begun, property managers need to be consistent with regulating actions.
3. Use permits and decals to distinguish resident & guest vehicles
A property’s parking permits should be clear, easily recognizable, and distinguishable between guests and residents. Also, with custom permits, residents can’t create counterfeit passes and game the system. Property managers should consider having an expiration date. With Reliant Parking’s system, permits are refreshed annually with a new color or shape. Physical permits eliminate confusion and keep the vehicle information accurate and up to date. Also, property managers should consider virtual permits when able. Oftentimes, physical guest permits lead to more parking abuse on the property. Virtual permits can be easily monitored and avoid the high level of abuse.
4. Educate your residents
There are few things worse than unhappy residents. When implementing or enforcing a parking program, it is important to educate residents and explain how the parking program will benefit and affect them. If you are implementing new parking enforcement to existing residents, contact them through multiple channels to reduce the chance of a resident not being aware of the new program. In addition, as the enforcement date arrives, it would be recommended to only put warning notices on the vehicles for a short period of time, to make sure that everyone is aware of the changes.
5. Share established rules and expectations with new residents from the beginning
When a new resident is signing a lease or a HOA agreement, clearly detail and explain the regulations of the property. Is there a vehicle maximum per unit? Where are residents allowed to park? Are there time limitations to certain parking areas? How do residents obtain a guest parking permit? With new or incoming residents, set clear expectations from the beginning and be thorough during the roll-out process. Give all new enrollees complete information at the beginning of their residency and answer any questions they may have. Make the delivery of the parking regulations clear and concise.
Reliant Parking is an app-based technology aimed to solve your parking headaches. With our first in the industry 24/7 support, residents and property managers have access to solutions at their convenience. The key to Reliant Parking is organization. During our on-boarding process, we will work side by side with property managers to inventory and audit their existing residents, onsite vehicles, and available parking spaces. To learn how Reliant Parking can solve your parking problems, unlock your parking potential and request a free parking analysis today.
