WWYD? (An apartment complex parking question)**Finally resolved**

[phorsenuf]

I moved down here the end of March. Parking is not assigned and on my side it's tough to get a spot especially if you come home late.

So to get a visual, my apartment is on the ground floor and faces the parking lot. I can walk off my patio, take about 5 steps and be at my car. Pretty handy because I have a walking disability.
If I walk out my front door and take a right I go under the stairs to the walkway to the parking lot. On the right are the spaces in front of my apartment and to the left is an old handicap spot then more spaces in front of the apartment across the hall from me.

I have asked 2 times for a handicapped spot (yes, I'm disabled and have a tag). The space to the left of the walkway used to be one but I guess they got rid of it. You can still see the blue though on the curb.

Anyway, they decided to go to assigned parking. We got ours today and it is 2 spaces over from the handicap space going away from me. I'm not exactly thrilled with that spot. It would be nice to have the space right in front of my patio (I can back in and carry the groceries right to the porch that way) or the (old) handicap spot would be good so I can open my door all the way on the days I use my cane.

Would you ask to be assigned a different space if it were you?

 

[cepmom]

I would ask for a new spot if it were me. You are disabled and have a handicap tag...they should at least give you a handicap spot if not the one closest to your patio door.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I moved down here the end of March. Parking is not assigned and on my side it's tough to get a spot especially if you come home late.

So to get a visual, my apartment is on the ground floor and faces the parking lot. I can walk off my patio, take about 5 steps and be at my car. Pretty handy because I have a walking disability.
If I walk out my front door and take a right I go under the stairs to the walkway to the parking lot. On the right are the spaces in front of my apartment and to the left is an old handicap spot then more spaces in front of the apartment across the hall from me.

I have asked 2 times for a handicapped spot (yes, I'm disabled and have a tag). The space to the left of the walkway used to be one but I guess they got rid of it. You can still see the blue though on the curb.

Anyway, they decided to go to assigned parking. We got ours today and it is 2 spaces over from the handicap space going away from me. I'm not exactly thrilled with that spot. It would be nice to have the space right in front of my patio (I can back in and carry the groceries right to the porch that way) or the (old) handicap spot would be good so I can open my door all the way on the days I use my cane.

Would you ask to be assigned a different space if it were you?

Yes, in a heartbeat.

We recently had parking spaces re-assigned at my apartment. Imagine our surprise when we (husband and I) were assigned the same number. I asked for further info. Oh, it is now TANDEM. Oh, heck no.

We pay extra money each month for a an extra parking space. We picked this places almost four years ago because it allowed us to have two parking spaces. I kindly told the very nice lady that it wouldn't work for us and we would gladly move out. We sometimes work different times and there is NO way I would deal with the daily moving of the cars.

Twenty minutes later, we had our own separate spots. (I knew a lot of people were not paying rent and/or paying rent really late and we were NOT those people).

Your situation is totally different and even more of a need than mine is!

 

[momrek06]

Absolutely 4's, before someone else wants that old handicap space! I would go tomorrow and tell them the situation! Is the one that you want that you could back into already assigned to someone else ... if they won't reassign that tenant then ask about the handicap space! Good luck.

 

[DMRick]

In our area, handicap doesn't always mean close. It just means that there is a lowered curb, so you don't have to lift your leg or so you can get a wheel chair up on the sidewalk. You might want to be sure you know where you are going, before you give up what you have.

I know when I broke my foot, and we parked in handicap for Disney (where they sent us) for MGM, it was way over to the left side (guess the ones in front were filled), and hard for me to walk with crutches. Had to get a wheel chair.

 

[phorsenuf]

In our area, handicap doesn't always mean close. It just means that there is a lowered curb, so you don't have to lift your leg or so you can get a wheel chair up on the sidewalk. You might want to be sure you know where you are going, before you give up what you have.

I know when I broke my foot, and we parked in handicap for Disney (where they sent us) for MGM, it was way over to the left side (guess the ones in front were filled), and hard for me to walk with crutches. Had to get a wheel chair.

The handicap spot that use to be there is at the walkway to the left at the curb cut. To the right is a tree.

 

[DMRick]

The handicap spot that use to be there is at the walkway to the left at the curb cut. To the right is a tree.

I understand that there is a spot there, but not knowing if someone else already has that spot, the point I was making was, you may ask for a handicap spot, but you may just get a handicap spot, not the one you want. You have a close spot now, I wouldn't give it up, unless you were sure you would get one closer.

 

[MinnieFlute]

I moved down here the end of March. Parking is not assigned and on my side it's tough to get a spot especially if you come home late.

So to get a visual, my apartment is on the ground floor and faces the parking lot. I can walk off my patio, take about 5 steps and be at my car. Pretty handy because I have a walking disability.
If I walk out my front door and take a right I go under the stairs to the walkway to the parking lot. On the right are the spaces in front of my apartment and to the left is an old handicap spot then more spaces in front of the apartment across the hall from me.

I have asked 2 times for a handicapped spot (yes, I'm disabled and have a tag). The space to the left of the walkway used to be one but I guess they got rid of it. You can still see the blue though on the curb.

Anyway, they decided to go to assigned parking. We got ours today and it is 2 spaces over from the handicap space going away from me. I'm not exactly thrilled with that spot. It would be nice to have the space right in front of my patio (I can back in and carry the groceries right to the porch that way) or the (old) handicap spot would be good so I can open my door all the way on the days I use my cane.

Would you ask to be assigned a different space if it were you?

Yes I would! You are not being a pain, you are asking for a reasonable accommodation. Go for it!

 

[dimimi]

I would definately ask. It makes sense for you to have the spot right by your patio. I would explain your specific issues and that you have a handicapped pass.

 

[scrapquitler]

Yes I would ask for the space directly near my patio door. Not only that, I would have my doctor write a letter to the management of the apartment building stating that I need it. And if it were denied,as a very last resort I might consult a lawyer. Or find out who 'administers' handicapped parking, and take it to them (the local police department? zoning board? though they might not get involved because it is private property) Or maybe you can speak to the person who is assigned that spot and somehow make a deal with them then notify managment about it.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Where I live we have unassigned parking, but there are handicap spaces assigned to specific people. In my building the 2 spaces closest the backdoor (which is easier to get to in a wheelchair, and closer to the elevator) are reserved for specific permit numbers.

I'd ask for the one closest to your patio -- it's a simple, reasonable accomodation, and thus required by law.

 

[dis-happy]

I have a friend with debilitating back and spinal problems. The apt. where she rented added a h/c space outside her patio door for her to use. Good luck!

 

[Sparx]

I am not handicapped, so I don't really know how this generally works but I would push for the spot. I think most neighbors wouldn't put up a fuss if the spot was painted blue or had a "handicapped" sign on it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ask. If you do, they may be able to accommodate you or they may not. If you don't ask, nothing will change.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Can you nicely approach the neighbor who was assigned the spot and ask them if they would be willing to switch? Show up with a batch of cookies and explain the situation.

 

[momrek06]

4's, were you able to secure the parking spot you wanted?

 

[phorsenuf]

4's, were you able to secure the parking spot you wanted?

The first email I sent I never heard back from, which is unusual. So I set another one this afternoon. Within 5 minutes the property manager was here and we were outside assessing things. I'm guessing they didn't get my last one.
I explained my situation and how it was easy for me to park in front of the patio and such. She said they will contact the person that has that spot and see if they will switch. She couldn't give me the name for whatever reason. But that's fine.
So hopefully I'll know in the next day or so. I'm probably going to need surgery so it's even more important to be close.

 

[momrek06]

The first email I sent I never heard back from, which is unusual. So I set another one this afternoon. Within 5 minutes the property manager was here and we were outside assessing things. I'm guessing they didn't get my last one.
I explained my situation and how it was easy for me to park in front of the patio and such. She said they will contact the person that has that spot and see if they will switch. She couldn't give me the name for whatever reason. But that's fine.
So hopefully I'll know in the next day or so. I'm probably going to need surgery so it's even more important to be close.

Oh good, so almost all resolved. Just waiting on the other resident. Keep us updated.

Good luck with the surgery, 4's!

 

[phorsenuf]

So here we are, 2 weeks later and still nothing. They did send out a notice saying that due to the complaints they decided against assigned parking and will go back to open parking.
So I sent her an email to ask if they will then be putting in a handicap spot. She emailed me back for my phone number so she could call and discuss it with me. This was yesterday morning and still no call.

 

[dakcp2001]

I would find out who got that spot, your spot might work better for them, so a swap might end up being easy peasy. C ant hurt to ask.