How to deal with apartment managers.

So I live in a really nice apartment community, I have for years and my wife and I love it. The occasional letters have been showing up on our door about little things lately (the first was about my wife's hummingbird feeder, saying it was bringing down values and it had to be removed)

But the big one came today about my garage. It read that I had to remove all "hazardous chemicals" from my garage. I called to clarify and the property manager said even brand new sealed bottles of oil cannot be stored in the garage same goes for coolant etc. The only automotive chemicals allowed are for cleaning. She also said I am not allowed to change my oil/rotate my tires, even inside the garage. I was very nice on the phone and said I would take care of it knowing that somewhere in my lease there is a clause in it that I signed.

My question is, what can I do now to maintain/mod my truck without getting kicked out of my lease (my wife said moving is not an option) I would just shut the garage door, but its a 1 car garage and there is not enough room to fit the truck and get around it. I really do not like the idea of someone else changing my oil, or doing any wrenching, I have always maintained my own cars.

What would you guys do?

 

Find your lease and double check the stipulations for such "work". You might be able to get away with stuff if you pay attention to what it says.

 

Im going to have to find it, but I remember signing something about all cars being in running condition, and I cannot preform work on them...

 

Problem solved.

 

Tom, double check the lease and see what you can manipulate. If no options, then go for the option above.

 

I use to work for many different apartment communities your going to have a hard time fighting that because usually the chemicals side of things has to do with city ordinances having to do with the environment and waste disposal and they will not budge on that. As far as modding or maintaining your truck its a major liability if something was to go wrong.

 

new wife and then move
j/k
Sounds like a very demanding place to live. I guess you have 3 options if the wording is in the contract.

1. Ask around for a reputable garage.
2. Convince the wife to move.
3. Wake up at 4 a.m., perform maintainence quietly and hope you don't get caught.

What are the consequences if you don't comply? Fine? Eviction?

 

Haha lol that is funny cuz my girl had her 1st day being a manager at some apartments. I showed her that and she resents that lol

 

i'd be willing to bet that someone complained. So the manager was put in the position. Keep the peace and do your work at a buddies house.

 

I have a feeling this is my only option. Its an apartment community in a upscale area, lots of people who lost their homes moved in here, most of the cars are G wagons and BMWs, I can count at least 4-5 neighbors who would complain if they heard my impact wrench, even in the middle of day. I would love to live in a house with a 2 car garage, but its not in the cards for now.

I can see used chemicals being an issue, but sealed in a brand new bottle? Seems a little extreme to me.

 

"No vehicle maintenance or repair shall be permitted within property boundaries" Is actually in the lease. Looks like I need to make some very nice friends with driveways!

 

There are so many people on this board from CA. Help a brotha out.

 

Keep them in boxes so they can't see them. easy way to get around that!

 

Trade the truck for a 4runner or regular cab Taco. That should give you enough room to walk around the truck and do maintenance with the door closed.

 

x2 make sure they are unmarked as well

 

I have a heavy duty storage container I use for my camping gear; it has provisions for locking it with a padlock; get something similar and store your hazmat in it. Anyone asks, "That's my tent, sleeping bag, cookware, blah, blah..." but keep it locked unless you are getting something in or out of it. An apartment manager can inspect the leased units (with notice in most places) but they cannot search your private property.

Edit: My camp box is actually a food storage box, used for keeping food away from bears and other wildlife; I got it for long trips into the Cascades, and it can be hoisted into a tree.

 

There are more and more Do it Yourself shops popping up. They rent you space, lift, tools, etc at fairly reasonable prices. As said before, there are tons of peeps in Cali that I'm sure would help out, If no one else closer you could use mine, but I'm down in San Diego. As for chemicals, I would keep them in a box out of direct sight.

 

You could use my driveway but Im not sure if the trip would be worth it for you.