effenheimer_IHB
New member
LOL, I just detest people who can't walk around without rattling the floorboards. Headboards are meant to be rattled, not floorboards.
So who here is an IAC renter?
- Thread starter usctrojanman29_IHB
- Start date
NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
In the year that I have been in my current IAC complex, they have done complex-wide garage checks twice.
No one said anything to us.
I believe they are mainly after people who use the garage as living space (and people do).
Although it all depends on the complex and the manager.
Some managers are more flexible than others.
They do check the garages about twice a year.
Although I'm sure they won't allow you to block the furnace which is stored in the garage.
There are actually some people who use the garage as living space? Are you serious? That's INTENSE! I would never go that far.
CalGal, do you think it is the newer IAC complexes like Woodbury, Portola, and Stonegate who would be more strict in not allowing for one to use their garage for storage? I don't think i would need to rent a separate storage space if i can pull this off for a year.
If you do use the garage as storage, I would recommend not leaving your garage door open for any length of time. If we needed something in the garage, we would wait until after leasing hours and when it was dark. We never let anyone passing by see our garage. You wouldn't believe the snitchers out there. Even if it doesn't relate to them - they'll turn you in. Some people just can't mind their own business.
Also, the garage we used had a built in shelf at the far end of the garage. I'm not sure if all IAC garages do this, but it stored A LOT of stuff. We also installed lofts, which held a lot of storage (purchased at Lowes). These are nice because you can take them down and use them in future houses. You can also buy attachments to store ladders and tools from the racks.
I lived in Turtle Ridge, which is near UCI. Some college kids would set up rooms in the garage. It may only be a Turtle Ridge problem since it's so close to UCI. The complex was strict on this though. Although they only checked the garage every 6 months, so people would get away with it for quite some time. Also, we would get a notice on our door stating the date range when they would be checking the garages. People would scramble and clean their garages out - only to return to the same routine after the inspections.
Actually, I have seen/heard two families in Irvine where they have people living in garages. One of them is in the Woodbridge area, there are two adult men living in there, the beds and nightstands are visible when the garage is opened! Another one is my co worker's neighbor in Quail hill. There's an old grandma living inside, she even have a AC. Poor old lady...
Socal78,
They forced you to give away your refigerator because it did not fit in the designated area? What the "Peep" and they have a mandatory 5 month garage usage checkup? What the Hoot?, the IAC Apartment management is starting to become like NAZI Germany. It's not like i am trying to use my IAC garage for my marijuana fulfillment center for my new ecommerce site www.marijuanadirect.com.
Yes, they sent us a notice saying anything that extends beyond the storage shelf and area under it must go. So, I had no choice. I could have gone and rented a storage unit if I wanted to but it doesn't pencil out.
If I had to do it all over, I would have rented an apartment that has a driveway. Many in this complex do. I don't know how much extra they are but I'm sure it would be a nice financial compromise somewhere between what you pay without one and what you pay for an IAC townhome with a 2-car garage.
If I were you, I would start tracking rentals now to see when they come on the market, and what they get for a lease.
Obviously the rental amount depends on different variables: location, upgrades, etc.
It's nice to be educated so you will be 100% confident you are paying a fair price when it's time for you to lease a property.
TimHume_IHB
New member
PANDA said:
In the year that I have been in my current IAC complex, they have done complex-wide garage checks twice.
CalGal_IHB
New member
We lived at Turtle Ridge for 3 years and used our garage as storage.PANDA said:So i know that IAC has a rule that you cannot use your garage as storage space and only cars are allowed. Has anybody here broken that rule and haven't been caught yet? Is IAC Management really strict in tracking down these people? I am seriously thinking about this option?
Thanks TimI have to cross out that option....
No one said anything to us.
I believe they are mainly after people who use the garage as living space (and people do).
Although it all depends on the complex and the manager.
Some managers are more flexible than others.
They do check the garages about twice a year.
Although I'm sure they won't allow you to block the furnace which is stored in the garage.
PANDA_IHB
New member
CalGal said:We lived at Turtle Ridge for 3 years and used our garage as storage.PANDA said:So i know that IAC has a rule that you cannot use your garage as storage space and only cars are allowed. Has anybody here broken that rule and haven't been caught yet? Is IAC Management really strict in tracking down these people? I am seriously thinking about this option?
Thanks Tim
No one said anything to us.
I believe they are mainly after people who use the garage as living space (and people do).
Although it all depends on the complex and the manager.
Some managers are more flexible than others.
They do check the garages about twice a year.
Although I'm sure they won't allow you to block the furnace which is stored in the garage.
There are actually some people who use the garage as living space? Are you serious? That's INTENSE! I would never go that far.
CalGal, do you think it is the newer IAC complexes like Woodbury, Portola, and Stonegate who would be more strict in not allowing for one to use their garage for storage? I don't think i would need to rent a separate storage space if i can pull this off for a year.
CalGal_IHB
New member
I'm not sure. It all depends on the manager of the complex. Some managers are real flexible and don't bother with you if you aren't bothering anyone else or if no one complains. Other managers are real strict.
If you do use the garage as storage, I would recommend not leaving your garage door open for any length of time. If we needed something in the garage, we would wait until after leasing hours and when it was dark. We never let anyone passing by see our garage. You wouldn't believe the snitchers out there. Even if it doesn't relate to them - they'll turn you in. Some people just can't mind their own business.
Also, the garage we used had a built in shelf at the far end of the garage. I'm not sure if all IAC garages do this, but it stored A LOT of stuff. We also installed lofts, which held a lot of storage (purchased at Lowes). These are nice because you can take them down and use them in future houses. You can also buy attachments to store ladders and tools from the racks.
I lived in Turtle Ridge, which is near UCI. Some college kids would set up rooms in the garage. It may only be a Turtle Ridge problem since it's so close to UCI. The complex was strict on this though. Although they only checked the garage every 6 months, so people would get away with it for quite some time. Also, we would get a notice on our door stating the date range when they would be checking the garages. People would scramble and clean their garages out - only to return to the same routine after the inspections.
SoCal78_IHB
New member
Panda, I'm in Portola Place Apartments, as you know. We have been here 5 months and we've had a community-wide garage check.
There is a big parking problem here. People don't use their garages for parking, they use them to store things (pointing finger at myself, too.) Like CalGal said, there is a shelf & under-shelf area at the end of the garage designated for storage and this complex sends out notices telling us not to store anything beyond that. (Thanks for the loft idea, CalGal! Might just do that.) Besides being able to fit one car, they also check to make sure that there is a "clear path". A path to what, I don't know. Our garage is detached and has no furnace in it. But they shoved our things aside... we don't have that much stuff... but my husband wasn't too happy about them messing with our things.
The other day we were forced to give away our refrigerator because it clearly won't fit in the designated area and I'm sure as heck not going to pay to store it when that will end up costing me more than buying a new one when we move.
Anyway they give you a notice saying you must correct this-and-that but there was never any mention of when to have this done by, when the next inspection is, or anything. I'm sure they will keep on being diligent about it, though, since it's affected the whole parking issue. (Just within the last few months they started issuing parking permits to use in open spaces. Everyone has a 1 car garage. If you have 1 car, you get no permit. If you have 2 cars, you get 1 permit... but no permit if you have a driveway. If you can't fit your car in the garage, your only other option is to park on the street outside of the complex and therefore, un-gated.)
There is a big parking problem here. People don't use their garages for parking, they use them to store things (pointing finger at myself, too.) Like CalGal said, there is a shelf & under-shelf area at the end of the garage designated for storage and this complex sends out notices telling us not to store anything beyond that. (Thanks for the loft idea, CalGal! Might just do that.) Besides being able to fit one car, they also check to make sure that there is a "clear path". A path to what, I don't know. Our garage is detached and has no furnace in it. But they shoved our things aside... we don't have that much stuff... but my husband wasn't too happy about them messing with our things.
The other day we were forced to give away our refrigerator because it clearly won't fit in the designated area and I'm sure as heck not going to pay to store it when that will end up costing me more than buying a new one when we move.
Anyway they give you a notice saying you must correct this-and-that but there was never any mention of when to have this done by, when the next inspection is, or anything. I'm sure they will keep on being diligent about it, though, since it's affected the whole parking issue. (Just within the last few months they started issuing parking permits to use in open spaces. Everyone has a 1 car garage. If you have 1 car, you get no permit. If you have 2 cars, you get 1 permit... but no permit if you have a driveway. If you can't fit your car in the garage, your only other option is to park on the street outside of the complex and therefore, un-gated.)
AllisonC_IHB
New member
CalGal said:We lived at Turtle Ridge for 3 years and used our garage as storage.PANDA said:So i know that IAC has a rule that you cannot use your garage as storage space and only cars are allowed. Has anybody here broken that rule and haven't been caught yet? Is IAC Management really strict in tracking down these people? I am seriously thinking about this option?
Thanks Tim
No one said anything to us.
I believe they are mainly after people who use the garage as living space (and people do).
Although it all depends on the complex and the manager.
Some managers are more flexible than others.
They do check the garages about twice a year.
Although I'm sure they won't allow you to block the furnace which is stored in the garage.
Actually, I have seen/heard two families in Irvine where they have people living in garages. One of them is in the Woodbridge area, there are two adult men living in there, the beds and nightstands are visible when the garage is opened! Another one is my co worker's neighbor in Quail hill. There's an old grandma living inside, she even have a AC. Poor old lady...
SoCal78_IHB
New member
^^ OMG that is terrible to stuff the old lady in the garage. On that note...
Panda, you and the Mrs. are welcome to come stay in my IAC detached garage while you get settled after moving to California. I will only charge you an IHB-special of $1k/mo for this "studio" apartment. ;-)
Panda, you and the Mrs. are welcome to come stay in my IAC detached garage while you get settled after moving to California. I will only charge you an IHB-special of $1k/mo for this "studio" apartment. ;-)
CalGal_IHB
New member
Maybe they didn't bother us because we were in a townhouse and we had 2 parking spaces in our driveway. So, we had two garage spots, and two driveway spaces. Four spaces for only two cars.
We were also very good friends with one of the leasing agents.
We even went to her house for Thanksgiving, and we only met her when we started leasing at the complex.
I guess she felt bad for us being away from our family.
Maybe she looked the other way. Not sure, but we were psyched we got the free storage space.
We were also very good friends with one of the leasing agents.
We even went to her house for Thanksgiving, and we only met her when we started leasing at the complex.
I guess she felt bad for us being away from our family.
Maybe she looked the other way. Not sure, but we were psyched we got the free storage space.
PANDA_IHB
New member
SoCal78 said:
Socal78,
They forced you to give away your refigerator because it did not fit in the designated area? What the "Peep" and they have a mandatory 5 month garage usage checkup? What the Hoot?, the IAC Apartment management is starting to become like NAZI Germany. It's not like i am trying to use my IAC garage for my marijuana fulfillment center for my new ecommerce site www.marijuanadirect.com.
CalGal_IHB
New member
Panda, the townhome we rented had a lot of storage. It was a three-story unit, so there was storage under all the stairways.
And there was a huge storage area next to the kitchen.
You had to bend over to get into the area, but it stored a lot of stuff.
I bought metal shelvesand stored all of our non-essential kitchen stuff (the stuff you use only a few times a year).
It held our small appliances, extra water & soda, etc.
The space was really useful if you utilized it to its full capacity.
I also bought hanging shelves and maximized the use of all our closet space.
I'm an organizational nut.
And there was a huge storage area next to the kitchen.
You had to bend over to get into the area, but it stored a lot of stuff.
I bought metal shelvesand stored all of our non-essential kitchen stuff (the stuff you use only a few times a year).
It held our small appliances, extra water & soda, etc.
The space was really useful if you utilized it to its full capacity.
I also bought hanging shelves and maximized the use of all our closet space.
I'm an organizational nut.
SoCal78_IHB
New member
PANDA said:
Yes, they sent us a notice saying anything that extends beyond the storage shelf and area under it must go. So, I had no choice. I could have gone and rented a storage unit if I wanted to but it doesn't pencil out.
If I had to do it all over, I would have rented an apartment that has a driveway. Many in this complex do. I don't know how much extra they are but I'm sure it would be a nice financial compromise somewhere between what you pay without one and what you pay for an IAC townhome with a 2-car garage.
CalGal_IHB
New member
Just like when you buy a house, research the recent comps for rentals.PANDA said:
If I were you, I would start tracking rentals now to see when they come on the market, and what they get for a lease.
Obviously the rental amount depends on different variables: location, upgrades, etc.
It's nice to be educated so you will be 100% confident you are paying a fair price when it's time for you to lease a property.
SoCal78_IHB
New member
Totally got on board with the hanging loft idea. Just checked my lease for any info regarding do's and dont's... it says we're not allowed to bolt anything to the walls. Bummer. Suppose I could try and see if they wag a finger at us. All they seem to say is "don't do that" but who knows if they follow up.
CalGal_IHB
New member
:coolgrin:
Walls - but what about ceiling?SoCal78 said: