How to Navigate Tandem Parking

Tandem parking has become more common in newer developments around the country and always has been around in certain cities, but it can be difficult to deal with so we’ll help you decide if tandem parking can work for you and how to best manage it.

What is Tandem Parking?

Tandem parking is when you share two parking spaces in front of each other with another person in your apartment or building with the first spot being blocked from the rear exit by the second space. Because the spaces are not next to each other, but instead have one in front of each other, the car owner that occupies the space in the back has to move their car for the car owner in front to leave the parking spot.  

Major cities such as San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles have substantial tandem parking spots due to space, but they do exist in most cities and towns. 

Overall, tandem parking can be complex and frustrating for both car owners, but there are a few easy ways to help make the situation manageable

Tips for Tandem Parking

1. Understand your co-tenant's schedule if possible

If the other space is occupied by someone you are familiar with such as a roommate, significant other, or friend in another apartment, try to have a shared calendar with work schedules or common routines so you’ll both know when you’ll need to enter or exit the parking spaces. This synced schedule will help cut down on the number of texts and calls between car owners to spare you some potential headaches.

2. Find a clear way to communicate with the other car owner

You’ll have to contact each other frequently especially when you need to the car for an emergency or spontaneous activity so figure out what method of communicating works best for both of you, whether it’s a text, call, or message in an app. Be sure to communicate your needs while trying to respect their needs as well as it is a shared space and you both have a right to use it. 

3. Create spare keys for each other

If you are able to trust the other car owner, spare keys could be a super effective method for dealing with emergencies as then one person can move the other’s car without depending on their availability. This works best if the other owner is a friend or significant other. Depending on how close you are to the other car owner, you could also consider sharing cars so that whoever leaves first can use the car in the rear space and not be blocked in. 

4. Alternate with one car parking on the street

There is a potential that tandem parking can just get too complicated or time-consuming to be done on a daily basis for both you and the other car owner. In that case, consider creating a schedule with one car parking on the street for a week or some other amount of time and then alternating to leave the tandem parking spaces open. 

Tandem Parking Alternatives

Have you decided tandem parking is not for you? Think about your local town or city and if there is enough parking spot supply and it is safe, use available street parking instead of having to participate in tandem parking. Other options include paid parking in a nearby parking garage or local parking lot. Other alternatives include not using a car but finding other transportation options like walking, biking, buses, or other ways where you don’t have to depend on another person for use of your car.

Tandem Parking Conclusion - Is it Worth It?

Tandem parking is worth it for many renters and tenants and they are able to navigate it just fine, but it’s an important factor to consider when deciding where to live and also how you want to get from home to your destination.