[southamerica]

Six cars (including mine) were vandalized (tires slashed, windows smashed in, items stolen) in my parking garage last week.

We have since heard stories from several neighbors about how this has been an ongoing and frequent problem for at least the last four years in the parking garage, and the front office has not done anything about it (not even notifying people that their car was vandalized, let alone informing the community or taking any extra security measures).

I have spoken with the office about possibly installing cameras or doing anything at all, but they are extremely resistant-saying that cameras just offer a false sense of security, vandals always wear hoodies anyway, law enforcement officers won't be assisted by them, etc. When I talked to the police station, they told me that they've been wanting them to install cameras for years but they haven't been willing to do so.

ANYWAY--I have talked to the office twice, trying to convince them that I'm not trying to get money or get out of my lease, but I'm actually genuine in my concerns. I have acquired incident records for the garage dating back to 2007. I am wondering if I should also start a petition so they can see how many residents are concerned.

It's a huge multi-state property management company, and I'm just wondering if the decision makers up top haven't heard a good argument FOR taking extra precautions. People choose apartments in my area for the safety and security of it. It's advertised as a luxury apartment, they have extraordinary amenities, and we definitely pay the price for all of this in rent.

I know that I can't force them to do anything, but I'm very serious about wanting them to do something to show they care about our quality of life. These police records show at least 6 vehicle thefts annually. I'm not sure how that compares to other parking garages or apartment complexes, but I would think that it would be worth a high dollar luxury apartment complex to hire a security guard, or put up access control gates, or something.

My main question is: should I start a petition, and if so, how does one do that the "legal" way?

Thanks so much!

(PS-it's in the real estate law forum, but I don't intend to take them to court and I'm not trying to ask for money or anything. All I want is a very professional way to persuade a property management company to take action.)

[excon]

All I want is a very professional way to persuade a property management company to take action.

Hello sa:

If you make a persuasive case in your petition, you could make the same case in a letter, and/or follow up letters... A petition, in my view, looks like you're trying to force them to act because there's a LOT of you. I think it loses its punch that way..

I don't mean for you to play the nice guy, or kiss up to them... Not at all. If there IS a hazard, you could say that the local media would be interested, but you thought you'd give them an opportunity to correct the situation first...

excon

[Fr_Chuck]

Get all of the renters and see if they will install it, if the renters pay for the system. Or will management pay 1/2 if the renters pay 1/2

[ScottGem]

There is no such thing as a "legal" petition in this instance. That's because you have no legal argument to compel the landlord to do anything.

So, a simple paragraph requesting that cameras be installed is sufficient. But, what would be better is to find out the cost of installation and get the tenants to agree to share in those costs. Then present a letter to management with ALL the tenants in agreement.

[AK lawyer]

As has been said, there is no "legal way" to write a petition because a petition will do nothing to compel action.

The only issue here is, if additional security measures are going to be taken, who is going to pay for them. The apartment management doesn't have a legal obligation to do so and if they "share" some portion of the cost with the tenants that will cut down on their profit - but presumably increase the value of the property and, presumably, enable them to rent the units at a higher rate in the future.

It doesn't make sense, in my opinion, to expect all the tenants to chip in with some portion of the extra expense. Not all will do so, and that would require an additional collection mechanism. A better plan would be to convince management to make the investment, and then expect to recoup it from future rental rates.

[southamerica]

I really appreciate all the input.

I understand that this isn't really a "legal" issue. At the very least, it's an issue of good business vs. bad business.

I haven't gotten aggressive yet, I've been keeping calm and merely expressed my concern-as I know many other tenants in my complex have done.

The petition is seeming like less of a powerful tool the more input I receive. We have hundreds of units, and I don't imagine every single person will be on the same page.

I know that they already have access control and camera vendors, because we use prox cards to get into the pool, gym, movie theater, and other amenities. They're all monitored via camera as well. I know that the cost would be up there to extend those security measures to the garage, but I would like to know that they've at least asked a vendor to consult a solution, or for a quote. I know this is how my neighbors feel as well (the ones I know or have talked to).

I have the police records now, and I will probably write a letter to the corporate office. The manager at my property is sympathetic, but I doubt she will ever go up the ladder to ask for a solution without a slight amount of pressure.

Thanks again.