Should I trade my car in for a submarine?

Question

I recently moved into a condominium and I have a problem that has just reared its ugly head. I live in Phoenix and we have what is called the Monsoon season here where we get torrential downpours accompanied with high winds that usually just burst for 10-30 minutes and leave puddles and broken branches strewn about but sometimes flooding. My problem is that my designated parking space apparently has no drainage or actually very, very slow drainage and after one of these rains there will be a puddle that my car is sitting in that makes it nearly impossible for me to get into my car without wearing rubber boots and amazingly all of the surrounding spaces are not submerged to this degree. I have asked my HOA about a resolution to this situation and the HOA rep said that there is nothing that can be done to fix the problem. Apart from this being a nuisance I am also concerned that this will actually damage my cars breaking system or other components if the wheels are submerged like they are for several days at a time before the water has drained away or eventually evaporated. Any ideas on how to proceed?

Answer 1

Your HOA needs to take care of this by reassigning you a parking spot, using a sump pump to drain the spot, put a french drain in your parking spot, or start refunding you part of your rent if your lease indicates that parking is included.  You could also drop a hint that if anything were to happen because of wet brakes, that litigation would probably be an option for you inevitably--and you sure hoped that it would not come to that.  That ought to get him/her moving--and put this in writing and send it via registered mail so he/she will think--oh geez--this is serious--I'd better get this taken care of.

Answer 2

not a bad idea

Answer 3

I'm sorry about your problem, but having lived in Phoenix myself for about 20 years, you are really going to only have to deal with this issue about 10 - 15 times a year.  

Because it rains so little in Arizona, most major road projects do not take into account drainage systems.  It is very frustrating as there are surface streets that will flood with just a 1/2 inch of rain.  

If you can get your HOA to reassign your parking space to a drier parking spot, that might be one solution.  However, I do not believe that the HOA will be willing to fund any major improvements to the parking area over this issue.  Even if it were to damage the braking components of your vehicle, the costs to the HOA to fix your car would be insignificant compared to the costs of digging up the parking lot and improving drainage.  

Perhaps, a temporary fix might be to park on a car service ramp.

Answer 4

Write a formal letter to the HOA stating that you need for them to assign you a different parking space. Clearly state your problem and concerns-don't be dramatic or threatening. Send them a picture of the space "under water." Finally ask them to bring this up at the next board meeting. Your next request is for an answer "in writing", emphasize that you expect it in writing. Ask that if they cannot comply with your request that they have a reasonable alternative (puts the ball in their court). Send this certified, return receipt requested (gets their attention and says you are no dummy who will be blown off).

If the HOA refuses and gives no reasonable alternative (drain, raising your space, etc), then write back putting them on notice that any damage to your car will be their responsibility. You can get a lawyer (even a web lawyer) to write this letter very cheap.

Finally if they do nothing, I would suggest selling and moving. If they are unreasonable about this what else would they do to you or others??

Answer 5

Demand that the HOA do something about it or you'll hold back their payment. State that if any damage occurs to your vehicle because they refuse to repair the problem they will be responsible to pay for the repairs.