Basement Apartment vs. Apartment

victorbrca

victorbrca

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Hi all,

I'm currently looking for a place to rent, and I was wondering what's your experience with apartments vs basement apartments (as far as motorcycle storage)?

I know most basement apartments don't include a garage, only a driveway (prob. negotiable), but I'm not sure about storing my bike in someone else's garage. Also not sure how happy a landlord would be with me doing oil changes in the driveway.

And apartments usually don't provide as much security.

What are your thoughts?
 
Personally I think that having my bike in someone's else garage (ie: owner of house, other tenant) is a much better option than leaving it on the driveway for all to see...out of sight out of mind kind of thing.

As a landlord, no I wouldn't let a tenant do their oil changes/maintenance on the driveway, or on a parking pad where other tenants also park. Ever lease I've seen / signed has a clear statement that there is no vehicle maintenance on the driveway, but you can always negotiate this point with a landlord...I'm sure minor maintenance wouldn't hurt as long as you keep the area clean and free of any damage/oils.
 
depends if the home owner has bikes or how big is the garage. When I was still in Mississauga I kept 5 of my motorbikes in the garage and the car outside and was looking for someone to rent my basement. If they had a motorcycle no problem keeping it in the garage and doing oil changes and what not.

Now in Calgary when I look for a place to rent I specifically tell them I have a motorbike and if it's ok to keep it in the garage. If not I'll look elsewhere. I don't think owner would mind you doing oil changes.

edit: Just seen a landlord does mind maintenance/oil work in their parking pad lol. But as a landlord myself and having 4+ tenant cars in my parking pad I wouldn't mind if they did their oil changes/maintenance but probably because I do them as well.
 
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oh yeah if you do use someone's garage and your bike leaks oil make sure to put something underneath. My last place I rented the owner was ****** my bike dripped oil.
 
I have a bsmnt apt in my house that I rent... one of the tenants has a gsxr and I let him park it in the garage, no problem. He can also use the garage/my tools to work on his bike as long as he is respectfully using the space (leaving me room to maneuver) and returning the tools cleaned, to their proper location.
 
I am a tenant in a basement apartment and my land lord lets me store my bike in his garage no problems. As for oil changes, well, he does his in his driveway so.....

It's also landlord dependant and if there's space.
 
I ived in a basement apt... Owner offered me the use of the garage for the bike and didn't mind me working on the bike/car except for two separate times.... One I had most of my mr2 taken apart on his driveway, maybe a little more in depth than basic maintenanace... and the second I used a plastic jug his kid used for fishing to catch oil, I just figured it was a plastic jug and nothing more!!!! Both times I thought his reaction was really funny!!!! It was time for me to move on anyways!
 
me and g/f were renting a basement apt for a year from a really cool couple. They gave us their unused shed that i fixed up and used as my tool shed in summer and crammed two bikes in there in the winter. Oil changes, tearing apart bikes, you name it, i did it and they were really cool with it. Moved out when we bought a house.
 
So an update on this. I finally moved into the new place. Got a basement apartment and the owners agreed to share a spot in the garage for me to park the bike. I can also park it on the side of the house... so good deal.

Not sure about working on the bike, but I can always do that at a friend's place.

Thanks for all the replies. :)
 
Good stuff - the only caution on basement dwellings is keep an eye out for damp and mold as it can really play havoc.
I never had allergies till I worked in the basement in the house and then found out there was mold and what it could do.
Dehumidifier might be an idea.

Having a spot in the garage for the bike is a very good thing.
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