Automotive

[Waterloo/GTHA] Where do I find a self-service or DIY garage space for minor work on my car?

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  • Dec 9th, 2020 1:23 pm
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Dec 9th, 2020 10:37 am
shannonxtreme [OP]
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Oct 3, 2019
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Markham

Dec 9th, 2020 10:37 am

[Waterloo/GTHA] Where do I find a self-service or DIY garage space for minor work on my car?

I'm moving out of my relatives' home to an apartment in the Kitchener/Waterloo area. I like doing minor work on my car like brake changes, fluid changes, little things like that.

From what I understand, apartment buildings do not allow this type of work to be done in parking spaces due to liability etc.

Are there self-service/DIY garage spaces to rent out and do work in the KW area? Is this something I could negotiate when setting up a leasing agreement with the property manager? Any advice, tips, and links would be wonderful!

Thank you and happy holidays :)
19 replies
Dec 9th, 2020 11:00 am
engineered
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Feb 11, 2007
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Dec 9th, 2020 11:00 am

When I lived in apartments and condos in Toronto I always did car with in my parking spot. Things tire changes, brakes and thermostat with coolant flush.
I always cleaned up after myself so nobody complained.
If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.
+2
Dec 9th, 2020 11:09 am
shannonxtreme [OP]
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Oct 3, 2019
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Markham

Dec 9th, 2020 11:09 am

engineered wrote: ↑ When I lived in apartments and condos in Toronto I always did car with in my parking spot. Things tire changes, brakes and thermostat with coolant flush.
I always cleaned up after myself so nobody complained.
Is it something worth talking to the building manager about before I sign a lease? Or just go for it? I'm very tidy when I do this stuff and I'd only do it during off-peak times.
Dec 9th, 2020 11:19 am
wackojacko
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Oct 30, 2006
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GTA

Dec 9th, 2020 11:19 am

I wouldn't bring it up before hand. I think a situation that it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. If you ask I would bet for sure they would say no, liability/mess. But if you just do it someone else would probably need to complain for you get stopped.
+1
Dec 9th, 2020 11:31 am
shannonxtreme [OP]
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Oct 3, 2019
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Markham

Dec 9th, 2020 11:31 am

wackojacko wrote: ↑ I wouldn't bring it up before hand. I think a situation that it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. If you ask I would bet for sure they would say no, liability/mess. But if you just do it someone else would probably need to complain for you get stopped.
Huh, thank you. And I am assuming that I'd get a warning or something and they wouldnt just straight up evict me I hope haha. Appreciate it! I guess another option is to just use my relatives' garage in their home in Markham.
Dec 9th, 2020 11:35 am
booblehead
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Dec 9th, 2020 11:35 am

shannonxtreme wrote: ↑ Huh, thank you. And I am assuming that I'd get a warning or something and they wouldnt just straight up evict me I hope haha. Appreciate it! I guess another option is to just use my relatives' garage in their home in Markham.
... better have the garage doors closed while you are working, otherwise, neighbors do not like this kind of diy garage setup in their neighborhoods and your relatives may get a visit from the city by-laws officer.
Dec 9th, 2020 12:01 pm
engineered
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Dec 9th, 2020 12:01 pm

booblehead wrote: ↑ ... better have the garage doors closed while you are working, otherwise, neighbors do not like this kind of diy garage setup in their neighborhoods and your relatives may get a visit from the city by-laws officer.
That's BS. Has this every happened for someone working on their own car? No. If it did, they would have to have been running a mechanic shop from their garage. Probably not declaring their income either so CRA would like to know.
It's not illegal to work on your car in your garage.
If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.
Dec 9th, 2020 12:01 pm
shannonxtreme [OP]
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Oct 3, 2019
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Markham

Dec 9th, 2020 12:01 pm

booblehead wrote: ↑ ... better have the garage doors closed while you are working, otherwise, neighbors do not like this kind of diy garage setup in their neighborhoods and your relatives may get a visit from the city by-laws officer.
Not really since it's just minor work like fluid/oil changes and brake changes. No lifts and grinding and all that jazz!
Dec 9th, 2020 12:03 pm
engineered
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Dec 9th, 2020 12:03 pm

shannonxtreme wrote: ↑ Is it something worth talking to the building manager about before I sign a lease? Or just go for it? I'm very tidy when I do this stuff and I'd only do it during off-peak times.
I never asked. Like I said, if you aren't causing trouble, most people won't complain, unless you happen to park next to a Karen. If my spot was crowded I would find an empty, far off spot to do the work.
If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.
Dec 9th, 2020 12:10 pm
booblehead
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Dec 9th, 2020 12:10 pm

... just saying you will never know how your neighbors view of your activities, esp. if this is done on a some sort of regular basis (esp. when they see you are not a homeowner or occupant of the property)
Dec 9th, 2020 12:12 pm
engineered
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Dec 9th, 2020 12:12 pm

booblehead wrote: ↑ ... just saying you will never know how your neighbors view of your activities, esp. if this is done on a some sort of regular basis (esp. when they see you are not a homeowner or occupant of the property)
Your crazy neighbours can call bylaw all they want. You're still not getting in trouble for working on your car.
If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.
Dec 9th, 2020 12:17 pm
booblehead
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Dec 9th, 2020 12:17 pm

I know/understand. It's just there are too many people who have nothing better to do these days and call up the city.
Dec 9th, 2020 12:27 pm
shannonxtreme [OP]
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Oct 3, 2019
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Markham

Dec 9th, 2020 12:27 pm

booblehead wrote: ↑ I know/understand. It's just there are too many people who have nothing better to do these days and call up the city.
I understand the point you're trying to make. I wouldn't get into trouble but it would just be annoying to deal with those types of nosy neighbours. It definitely varies by neighbourhood! I'm lucky enough that the one I live in right now is not like that.
Dec 9th, 2020 12:28 pm
shannonxtreme [OP]
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Oct 3, 2019
11 posts
4 upvotes
Markham

Dec 9th, 2020 12:28 pm

engineered wrote: ↑ I never asked. Like I said, if you aren't causing trouble, most people won't complain, unless you happen to park next to a Karen. If my spot was crowded I would find an empty, far off spot to do the work.
Thank you for this. Much appreciated. I did my first fluid changes last month and fell in love with the feeling of accomplishment I got. Don't want to give that up, and this is a good workaround till I have a place of my own some day.
+1
Dec 9th, 2020 12:57 pm
derass
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Dec 9th, 2020 12:57 pm

You guys are talking about different things. A private driveway/garage vs an apartment parking lot.
Dec 9th, 2020 1:02 pm
shannonxtreme [OP]
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Oct 3, 2019
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Markham

Dec 9th, 2020 1:02 pm

derass wrote: ↑ You guys are talking about different things. A private driveway/garage vs an apartment parking lot.
No, they were replying to me saying I could just drive to my relatives house and use their garage! They were concerned that those neighbours would make a fuss.
+2
Dec 9th, 2020 1:17 pm
derass
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Sep 8, 2017
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GTA

Dec 9th, 2020 1:17 pm

Oh. That's ridiculous. Nobody is going to complain about some minor DIY work on your car in a private garage. Bylaw would probably laugh if someone complained.
+1
Dec 9th, 2020 1:23 pm
shannonxtreme [OP]
Newbie
Oct 3, 2019
11 posts
4 upvotes
Markham

Dec 9th, 2020 1:23 pm

derass wrote: ↑ Oh. That's ridiculous. Nobody is going to complain about some minor DIY work on your car in a private garage. Bylaw would probably laugh if someone complained.
Lol I can imagine the conversation. I'm giving that user the benefit of the doubt though, because maybe they've had a bad experience with bad neighbours in the past!
+1

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