Like the rest of the common areas, the car park is subject to strict regulations limiting the use that can be made of it by the co-owners or tenants.
This set of rules relates in particular to storage.
If condominium parking spaces are frequently used as storage space, the likelihood that the person storing the property is actually breaking the law is high.
Is it possible to store goods in its parking space? How to transform this place into a box or a storage unit?
We take stock to avoid small (and big) inconveniences.
Storage in a parking space: what the law says
The law is very clear as to the destination of parking spaces since article 78 of the decree of 01/31/1986 relating to the fire protection of residential buildings:
A car park is a covered location, annexed to one or more residential buildings, which allows the storage, outside the public highway, of motor vehicles and their trailers, to the exclusion of any other activity.
A large number of co-ownerships take this article as a basis for establishing the rules accessible to all co-owners and tenants.
Transforming your parking space into a storage unit or a cellar is therefore impossible under the law since the storage of goods (boxes, tires, car liquids, etc.) presents a risk of fire and therefore a danger for people.
storage-cartons_0.jpg
But there are exceptions
If the storage of property by neighbors is common, it is not uncommon either for the trustee to intervene to request a removal of the items. This is even part of his powers.
In the event of a breach of one of its missions, the dismissal of the trustee may be obtained by the syndicate of co-owners.
This is for example the case for garages located in the basement.
However, if the parking space is not underground or considered as open common parking, storage becomes possible.
It will of course be advisable to read the co-ownership regulations carefully or to check directly with the trustee.
Have you converted your parking space into a storage unit to rent it out? We connect individuals looking for collaborative storage solutions.
Post your rental box ad in five minutes and we’ll take care of the rest!
Storage on a place or a box: the point of view of insurers
Here too, things are crystal clear.
In the event of theft or damage to the stored goods by fire, water or a malicious act, the insurance companies will refuse any compensation insofar as storage is prohibited by the regulations.
In the event of a fire starting from your parking space, your liability may even be incurred according to article 1242 of the civil code (ex article 1384 paragraph 5):
One is responsible not only for the damage which one causes by one’s own act, but also for that which is caused by the act of the persons for whom one must answer, or of the things which one has in one’s custody.
It is therefore essential here too to check with your insurance company what you can and cannot undertake.
underground-parking.jpg
Transform your parking space into a box or a storage unit
It is sometimes possible to “close” your parking space in order to make it a private space and why not a storage box to save space in your studio if no contrary mention is present in the co-ownership regulations.
If the said regulations give you the green light, you will however need to obtain the agreement of the co-owners in an absolute majority within the framework of a general meeting.
To maximize the chances that you will be granted permission, we recommend that you establish a solid file that will contain:
The date of the work,
The name of the chosen company,
A rendering of the box after work, taking care to match the partitions and doors as much as possible with the existing one.