I’m really trying here. I have one building that has extremely limiting parking. Leases clearly state how many parking spots each unit comes with. There is no extra parking at all. One unit has 2 spots . Unfortunately, the tenants that live there have those spots taken up by 2 non working vehicles. They now have a third vehicle ( that does work) and are using another spot. I did not push the issue of the non working vehicles because they are paying there rent and let’s not forget the blanket eviction moratorium here. I have to pick my battles carefully. Besides, it wasn’t an issue until the third vehicle showed up. There is a vacancy so they are using that spot but it is still a problem because I’m trying to show that vacancy and there is nowhere for prospective applicants to park. That’s a bad first impression. There is plenty of off street parking, but the tenant’s with the unauthorized vehicle should be using it, not prospective applicants. I texted them regarding removing the broken down vehicles that will have to moved for snow plowing as well as not parking the 3 rd vehicle in the lot while their other spots are occupied. I am considering whether doing actual “ designated “ parking will work. They aren’t responding to text at all so maybe written notice will be more effective. I don’t want them to stop paying, but this is getting ridiculous.

The local police might help get rid of the two nonworking cars. I had to use that when a tenant wanted to park her nephews unregistered car in a driveway with only two spots. Police came and ticketed it and put a towaway notice on it. Suddenly it was gone. I have two tenants who had two dead cars in their two car spot for years. I let it go because there was parking on the street. Then other neighbors got more cars and those tenants found themselves with no place to park so they got rid of the two cars. It was hard for them to do that and they called charities and old car buyers. Maybe your tenants would like to do that and can't. Ask them.

So at my two four units next to each other I had designated spots. The rental applicant knew which spot was going to be theirs and if they didn't like it they did not rent. If someone moved and a spot was open I would ask current tenants if they would like to trade for that one. Designated spots got the right size car in the right spot too.

Many of the self storage businesses in places I've lived have an area for RV's, trailers and vehicles.

Perhaps amend your lease to require all non operative vehicles to be stored offsite and give tenants a list of these places.

Maybe increase the rent by the amount of the storage fee and offer them the storage as part of your lease.

Or, of course, post your parking, and have non operative vehicles towed.

One way or the other, they've got to go.

Side idea: I'll bet other landlords in your area also have this problem. Why not buy a lot in an industrial area and use it for storage of these vehicles. Contact other landlords regarding the availability of your lot. Maybe you could make a decent profit off it. As an example, I can buy a 1 acre lot in a local industrial park pretty cheap, about $4000 (hey, this is Northern Michigan). A few improvements (clearing the lot and a fence) and I'm all in for under 10K. An acre lot is about the size of a football field. How many cars, etc. can be parked on a football field sized lot?

My lease addresses both issues: Tenant initials that they are giving me permission to have non-working vehicles towed. And I have, and I will. In your case, I would give them X number of days to cure getting rid of the dead cars.

We also designate parking spaces and we stress that even if their neighbor's space is empty, they can't use it.

I understand that a car can not run all the time. You may need to be working on it to get it running. Flat tires happen for example

But when there are TWO cars that are not working, you are being taken advantage of.

If it doesn't bother you - you can do nothing. But take it from this retired Senior Chief, you get only what you inspect and what you expect. You will care more about your rental more than most tenants. If that isn't the case, it might be a good time to get away for a few days and rethink things.

Opppps soon not son

Face to face conversation. Straight to the point, "people are not happy they come to visit the available apartment and see old cars and difficult parking"

"Do you have someone who wants to rent the empty apartment?"

"Do you understand my concerns? This is a priority for me"

You have been placed in a situation where you can't evict them, you must address this not as you normally would. As the saying goes, What choice do you have? In your case, you can let the tenants know you have to tow them otherwise.

I was reading through the posts again and remembered some years back I had a car issue similar to yours.

I stole the car. Gave it to a helper when he was on the clock. He came back on foot some time later...so it could not have been too far away.

...I would list this in the Not A Good Idea column...