photo by Tim Brown
“Dear PoPville,
I’ve been a DC resident for about six years. Preparing to sign my lease for my next apartment building, and came across an unexpected provision in the contract. Regarding parking (the building has a garage):
“Residents and/or Occupants are prohibited from participating in the Residential Parking Permit (“RPP”) Program through the District of Columbia, including, but not limited to, applying for or obtaining an RPP. Should Resident and/or Occupants either seek to obtain by application or actually obtain an RPP, that would constitute a serious and material breach of the lease, entitling Management to exercise its rights and remedies as set forth in the Lease and under District of Columbia law to terminate Resident’s Lease.”
Looking for help with more advanced knowledge of local DC law. Is that actually enforceable as a material breach of contract?
I am fully aware that since this building was most likely built after the streets were zoned, I may not even qualify for RPP with this as my home address. Just seems like a huge overreach of power – and a money grab to squeeze the exorbitant parking fees out of residents for their garage. I was shocked at the thought that an apartment building could enforce whether or not I park on the street.”