Auto in Unacceptable Condition???

New owner coming in so it's a good time for changes. I am a firm believer in curb appeal and enforce the community policies the best I can.

My community is very small (50 units) so everything is noticeable to people who drive through the property. I have a "low B property" but keep it clean and screen with higher requirements than most larger properties. We've had a waiting list since April and have raised rents twice.

I have attached a photo of a vehicle that belongs to residents who have been there nearly 2 years. It's time for renewal letters to go out, so we have to make decisions now to renew or not to renew.

This auto is driving me crazy!!!! They have 2 other cars, one in similar condition to this one (no hubcaps, leaking fluids and tires that don't match. The nice, shiny rims that is usually on it dissapeared last December and this is what has been sitting there, since. He works on in it the parking lot, too, when he knows he is not supposed to.

I would really like some opinions about this auto. Is it just me,or is it horrible??? I have the ususal requirements: Tag, insurance, no damage, operable, etc. I want to add hubcaps and just a general "unnaceptable" at my discretion. Or, something other language that addresses the condition of a vehicle.



What do you think? Would this pass your community policies?

This auto makes me smile ... however, if it is leaking fluids on the parking lot surface, you have every right to tell him/her to get it repaired - off site at a garage or wherever - since fluids leaking on the parking lot surface will damage it. Some leases have language to this effect.

I actually like the car, too, but the leaking fluids aspect and working on the car in the parking lot is a problem. Also, the car should be drivable, but it looks like the back tire is a spare tire, and not meant for normal driving.

My question is, will you non-renew the other cars that have leaking fluids? That seems very hard to manage, even in a small community. Or is it more the "design"? (I too like the design!) I would say if the car never gets moved I would insist the owner come into the office and talk about it. Have you tried that? What have the residents said in the past?

Thanks guys! The future owner came by and actually got to see the tenant pop the hood and add fluids to the engine while we were sitting in my office. It's more than leaking fluids. You noticed the tires. It sat there unmoved for about 30 days. His reason was that the interior was being restored. It finally moved and came back with darker windows, newer tire and I swear it is louder! I found a marijuana blunt next to it yesterday. I am looking at changing my policy for autos to be more strict because we have several with no hubcaps, 2 hubcaps, body damage, etc. I want to be more specific, but not ridiculous. We have a very small horseshoe-shaped community with high exposure on a busy highway and the cars are very noticeable to passersby. If I had 4 or 5 cars in this condition, I believe it would be harder to lease due to the impact the condition the cars have on curb appeal. I look at it as the same as having a messy patio. I like the paint job, too. He has a hat that matches the car.

Maybe you should suggest to him, in a friendly way, that now since he has his car dolled up, and you're near a busy highway, that he might want to rent a garage space nearby to keep the car so that no one will steal his masterpiece!

Sandy-

I too believe that curb appeal extends not only from the property and grounds itself but also the vehicles that are parked in the lot. These days, people (prospective tenants) have a tendency to judge people by what type of car they drive.

I have battled this issue with a couple properties as well. One thing I could recommend is implementing a more detailed parking lot policy. One way to cut down on people from hoarding cars and making your lot look like a used car lot is to allow each adult occupant to park one car in the lot and no more than that. Of course, this is nearly impossible to track if you do not have a parking permit system in place.

Here are the grounds we use to determine if a vehicle can stay or should be removed- either by tenant or tow truck:

-Does not have valid permit
-is not operable
-is not licensed or has expired tabs
-not in acceptable condition (i.e. flat tire, broken glass, missing parts).
-is not used on a regular basis.
-is parked in a "no parking" or "Fire zone".
-is a boat, camper, rv, bus, mobile home, trailer, semi, etc...

I suspect if they have 3 vehicles they are not using this car on a regular basis. Especially considering the fact that it has a spare tire which I would personally determine to be in disrepair/inoperable.