Renting garage?

[Brandon Barnic]

I looked at a move in ready duplex today. It was two units upstairs and the first floor was 4 separate garages.  Anyone have experience renting garages? How much could I charge? Can there be cars stored below an apartment?  Thanks!

[Blair Poelman]

A couple thoughts came to mind:

I would dictate what activities can and can't be done in the garages. You probably don't want somebody renting it for band practice, or running a chopper shop, but maybe you're okay with a guy that fixes sewing machines... If you care, you should check zoning to make sure you're zoned for whatever you're going to allow to happen if you're renting to guys that are going to work or manufacture or run a business of any kind.  I see you're in NY - they are big on rental permits there, and a garage space may require a different permit than a living space.

Utilities - if it's anything other than storage you might need a bathroom, water, power, heat.  That's a question for zoning or city planning dept.

Lastly, if zoning is clear, I for sure would rent them out, but would give first right of refusal to any existing tenants and make sure they all know they're going to be rented and what the usage will be.