Is there any such thing as "property lines" if you rent?

Question

I live in a small apartment complex and our neighbors have more or less taken over the whole front and back areas of my complex.

In the front they are always taking the prime parking spots. Since we work we can only get parking spots at night. Since they most likely do not work or work loser jobs with various hours they are always getting the best parking spots. Plus to ad to the bs they often times have a friend over to "hold" the best parking spaces. A frined will come over and get the best parking spaces and then "release" this space to the person(s) who live there. How crappy is that?

In the back they have taken over the area with several bbq's a ping pong table, a pool table etc. They say it makes the common area "cool". Well it is not "cool" for us becasue we are not drunks.

Help!

Answer 1

Talk to your landlord about it. If they are trespassing on the property you rent, you can ask the landlord to inform them that it is private property. For example, if the parking spaces are on private property you rent, the landlord can designate the spaces as reserved for tenants. If it is on public property, you could use similar ploys. Buy an old small motorcycle wreck and park it in the middle of a space in front of your apartment. Then move it to park your car. Start using the pool table and ping pong table frequently when you know they would like to use it. Make it "cool" that the tables are common equipment.

It is however best to work through your landlord to fix the problem rather than using dirty tricks.

Answer 2

Both of these issues is most likely addressed in your lease.
The lease should address parking in one of two ways. It should specify that all parking is on a first come first served basis which means that what your neighbor is doing, while quite annoying is not breaking the lease. Or it should specify designated parking spaces. In which case you would know exactly what space or spaces are yours and yours alone.
As to the use of common areas, that too should be addressed. Most apartment complex leases will state that a tenant's personal property may not be stored in any common areas. In this case the neighbor who has set up bbqs, a ping pong table and a pool table have over stepped the lease and the management should address this at once. Also, if they are drinking alcohol in common areas this should be addressed in the lease.
If any of these situations are not addressed in your lease then you did not do your homework before renting.
Of course, no matter what the lease says getting your complex management to honor those stipulations may be nearly impossible.

Answer 3

You need to talk to your landlord about this situation! If they are disturbing the peace just call the police and have them deal with the situation. I would defiantly check on when you lease is up and move out of there - sounds too stress full to live in and life it too short!

Answer 4

Talk to your landlord. Unless it's specifcally spelled out in you lease as to who is to park where, parking spaces are first come, first serve. What does your landlord have to say about this?

Answer 5

You need to get your landlord involved. Each tenant should have their own parking space as well as space outside where you can sit and relax.

Answer 6

I would talk to your landlord and point out these transgressions. they are not necessarily breaching their contract but fair use comes into it. Why should they have a permanent installation in the back?!

I would then say you would prefer it if your landlord inspects the area and judges for him/herself if your objection is reasonable. the landlord can then have a word in their shell like.

the common area is for everyone's use not for their exclusive use.