Subletting a parking space?

[robbierxn.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone,

I'm moving to Davis Square next week and I'm really excited. I found a killer place just steps from the Square proper. My apartment will be on a private way and I have a parking space reserved for me that is included in the rent. I don't have a car. Does anyone know if I can legally sublet this space? Is there even a market for this? What do you think is a fair price? It would be nice to have a little extra income since the apartment is kind of expensive and I'm on a grad student's salary.

Comments

[cemeterygates.livejournal.com]

My lease specifies that I cannot sublet my parking space. You might try mentioning to your landlord that you don't have a vehicle, and asking if he'd like to buy-back the space in exchange for a reduction in rent. This has worked for me in the past. Then the landlord can offer the spot to other tenants.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

I don't know if you can sublet it or not, but if you ask your landlord, maybe they'll take something off the rent and rent the spot to someone else. I had that happen when I was in grad school: the landlord took $100 a month off the rent, I think it was.

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

If you can sublet it, I'd be interested.

[robbierxn.livejournal.com]

Hey on_reserve, I'll let you know what my landlord says. I just sent him an email.

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

You should probably check with the landlord first, but I don't doubt that you'd be able to find someone who would want it. (Parking is tight around these parts-- a space in the back bay sold for a quarter-million awhile ago...)

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

The Back Bay is a whole 'nother universe of parking, and a frightening one at that. Around here, I've seen spots sell in the $10K-$25K range. Monthly, I've seen $50-$100.

But yeah, I agree with everyone else: check the lease and all that. I am impressed that you can afford your own place in Davis on a grad student salary. Good on ya! :)

[robbierxn.livejournal.com]

Luckily the life sciences pay well, compared to other disciplines, these days. Plus, I worked for a year before starting grad school and lived with my parents. I saved up almost every penny I earned so I could enjoy my grad student years.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Before there were downstairs tenants with a car, my landlord rented the driveway to a non-tenant for $300 a month. This was in 1999 before the economy crumbled, but you'd probably still be sitting pretty if your landlord does let you sublet it. If not, I'd do what folks are suggesting and ask if you can have an amount taken off your rent in exchange for forfeiting the parking space.

[ayelle.livejournal.com]

Ooh, lucky you. If you are allowed to do it legally, I would say $100 -$150 is a fair price -- it's what I paid in Brighton (the cheaper one was really only a few yards further away from my apt than the more expensive one, albeit on a hill). When I moved to Davis, however, I turned down my landlord's original offer of a driveway parking space for $175 per month in disgust -- no way was I going to pay that much for a space in a town where you can legally park on the street and parking is plentiful (unlike in Brighton, where you could drive for a mile and not find anything).

I don't suppose you're anywhere near me? (Leonard Street.) I wouldn't want a space year-round, but I'm getting nervous about the snow coming. (I'd say you're gonna be offering a spot at the right time of year, that's for sure.) I want to check with my current landlord (different fellow, of course) to see if I can park in the back of the driveway, behind the other cars, during snow emergencies, but if I can't, I'll have to think of something. Somerville has been known to announce snow emergencies at 9 in the morning, give you a 4- or 5- hour window, and start ticketing and towing before you get home from work that night.

[robbierxn.livejournal.com]

Thanks for all the replies guys! I sent my landlord an email to see if I can sublet it. If so, it will be available after Jan 4th.