Don Shoup sent the following email in response to Mike and My comments below:
I agree that parking is intensely political. So what persuaded the elected officials in Redwood City, CA to adopt the policy of setting meter rates at the prices necessary to achieve an 85 percent occupancy rate?
To make a businesslike approach to curb parking politically popular, I think a city has to commit the meter revenue to pay for added public services in the metered areas. The merchants and property owners will see the advantages of this policy because they will reap all of the benefits of good parking management. Most curb spaces will always be used, but turnover will always create a few vacant spaces everywhere, and the metered zone will enjoy superior public services. If all the merchants and property owners in a business district want the 85-percent pricing policy, the elected officials will probably agree, and the City Council in Redwood City adopted the 85-percent policy by a unanimous vote.
Here is a relevant quote from a Pasadena business leader who explained why merchants and property owners switched from opposition to support for parking meters as soon as they learned that all the meter revenue would remain in the metered area: "At first it was a struggle to get people to agree with the meters. But when we figured out that the money would stay here, that the money would be used to improve the amenities, it was an easy sell."
I think market-priced curb parking will be an easy sell in any business district that keeps all its parking revenue to pay for added public services. If the meter money disappears into the general fund, market-priced curb parking will always be unpopular. So localizing the use of the revenue appears to be the key to sensible pricing policies for curb parking.
Here is the link to a short article that explains the success of the revenue-return parking policy in Pasadena:
http://shoup.bol.ucla.edu/SmallChange.pdfAnd here is the link to Redwood City’s parking
ordinance: http://shoup.bol.ucla.edu/RedwoodCity.pdfDon Shoup
UCLA
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A Tenant’s Guide to Renting
The first challenge every tenant faces is finding an apartment for rent that suits their individual needs. For today’s tenant, the most effective apartment search can be done using an online apartment finder. Tenants should decide what they require in an apartment or house rental before beginning their search. For example: the number of bedrooms, location or distance from public transportation and how much the tenant can afford to pay in rent, furnished or unfurnished apartment, etc. By making these important decisions first, tenants can avoid renting an apartment or house only to regret it later. Many tenants today are taking advantage of the convenience of the internet to locate apartments for rent as opposed to the traditional print publications.
Once a possible apartment or home has been found, it is the tenant’s duty to thoroughly inspect the premises making a commitment in the form of a security deposit. A tenant should not rely on the landlord or the landlord’s agent to tell the tenant if anything is wrong with the property. The tenant must inspect the property carefully and ask questions about it.
Inspecting the condition and functionality of the following areas/features of the apartment before committing yourself as a tenant is highly recommended.
1. Kitchen appliances in working order.
2. Water pressure strong, plumbing without leaks.
3. Electrical outlets and wiring working.
4. Walls and ceiling painted or papered without cracks
5. Ventilation or air conditioning accessible.
6. Floors, railings and bathrooms in good repair.
7. Fire escape easy to use.
8. Stairs safe and well-lighted.
9. No rodents or insects.
10. Heating system in working order.
11. If furnished, check and write down condition of all furniture.
12. Windows and doors operable and weather-tight; screens provided.
The tenant should also check the security of the building to find out if there is a dead-bolt lock, security chain, or through-the-door viewer.
BEWARE OF EXISTING DAMAGES: In order to avoid being blamed for damages that already exist in the rental unit, the cautious tenant should take every step for self-protection. Before moving in (or as soon as possible thereafter), the tenant should make a list of all existing damages and repairs that need to be made. A copy of the list should he presented to the landlord and attached to the lease This way the landlord cannot blame the tenant for damages caused by others and the tenant will know what the landlord intends to repair. If the tenant keeps good records the landlord will not be able to keep the tenant’s security deposit for damages that were actually caused by others. Taking pictures before moving in is also strongly recommended.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Paul Rossano, associated with http://www.AllSpaces.com who “Conveniently Connects All People with All Spaces in All Places” has been dedicated to the Real Estate rental market for over 8 years. He has assisted over 25,000 tenants with their renting needs. Any questions about renting apartments, houses or other rentals, feel free to visit http://www.AllSpaces.com or email him at Paul@AllSpaces.com.