Parking requirements vary between apartments. Some places have a first-come, first-serve parking lot model, while others have designated spots for each tenant. Likewise, some apartments require tenants to have a parking pass visible on their vehicles, but not all will.
Carefully reading your lease will help you locate many essential details, and that should include any guidelines regarding parking. That said, the lease won’t include all of the apartment parking safety tips you should always use, so keep reading to prevent avoidable accidents from happening in your new home.
Prioritize Your Observational Skills
Some parking lots are more complex than others, but all require the same level of safety to maneuver. From kids to adults, many tenants can be present around every corner, so keep a close eye on your blind spots. For instance, a kid may come running out from behind a car, so be slow and focused when approaching any potential problem areas.
Although this might sound like a no-brainer to some people, drivers can easily become less observant after becoming more comfortable with a parking lot, especially if it’s in their daily routine. However, no matter when you’re traveling through the lot, you should always keep an eye out for incoming cars and pedestrians to prevent collisions.
Rely on Well-Lit Areas
Speaking of observational skills, awareness of one’s surroundings is always important for safety, especially at night. This is why our apartment parking safety tips include finding well-lit parking spots in the lot. If you have a choice of where to park, try to choose the areas with the best lighting so that you can always have the situational awareness needed to get home safely.
Be Wary When Opening the Door
An apartment parking lot tends to be high traffic area due to the tenants all going out for their classes, work, groceries, and more common parts of a regular routine. Although foot traffic will vary depending on the time, always be mindful when stepping out of your car because someone may be pulling or out of the spot next to you. This step is also critical if your apartment is street parking only; cars zooming by on the street present a constant danger, so look out the window to observe traffic before stepping out.
As you can see, it’s no surprise that reliable parking is one of the must-have amenities for an apartment. If you’re moving into an apartment with a car, be sure to speak with the landlord ahead of time to answer any parking questions you need to ask. That way, you can ensure a smooth transition on move-in day instead of a frustrating mess.
