Garage Apartments: How to Find Them in 2025

Want to know the best way to find an apartment with a garage? The short answer is that you can find garage apartments by starting your search early and using filters for “garage” on apartment rental platforms.

But garage apartments can be difficult to find, especially when many apartments just come with a parking spot. To make your life easier, we’ve gathered everything you need to know about finding apartments with garages in 2025, including tips, tricks, and advice.

Garage Apartments

What Are Garage Apartments?

Garage apartments generally refer to one of three styles of apartments:

1. Apartments with garages that are somewhere in the building or complex, though they may not be directly attached to your building. This may refer to either a large parking garage shared by residents and the public, or it may refer to individual garages that stand alone or in a row.
2. Apartments or townhomes over a private garage, also known as a coach house.
3. An apartment built in the space above a garage is also known as a garage suite.

Because the third type is very specific to private landlords and may differ widely, and because many people are simply looking for an apartment with covered or private parking, we're focusing on just the first two types in the list. (Not apartments built in the space above a garage).

Who Rents Garage Apartments?

Garage apartments are generally preferred by renters with cars to protect their automobile from the elements. What’s not to like about keeping your vehicle off the street and having convenient access to a parking space whenever you need it?

In the case of private garages or designated spaces within a garage, you'll be safe from having to compete for parking with your neighbors.

However, plenty of people who don't have a car also choose to rent coach houses or even an apartment with a standalone garage if it's an option. That's because private garages make really convenient storage solutions, impromptu offices, home gyms, entertainment spaces, and more.

You should consider renting an apartment with a garage if:

• You're concerned with the secure and convenient storage of your car.
• You could use the extra space that a garage affords.
• You don't mind the additional cost (usually specific to having a private garage)

Just be sure to remember that you’ll likely be paying more in rent for an apartment with a garage than you would for an apartment without one.

How Much Do Garage Apartments Cost?

Apartment garage costs vary, but when garages are private but not attached to the building, they generally come with an additional cost that usually starts around $100 a month. Some sources also ballpark the cost at around 10% of your rent. Those figures can go up to several hundred dollars, depending on the type of complex, size of the garage, and other factors.

In complexes, garages are generally optional, and no fees will be incurred unless you choose to rent a garage.

When garages are attached, the additional convenience is generally factored into higher rent prices, starting around $200 and increasing to several hundred dollars more than comparable units without garages.

How Can You Find Apartments with Garages?

As apartments with garages can be a bit of a rarity and in high demand, you might find it challenging to land one. For now, we'll mainly focus on apartments with private garages since those are the most in-demand and trickiest to find. However, you can use similar strategies to locate apartment buildings with garage decks.

How Will the Different Types of Garage Apartments Impact Your Search?

Understanding the different types of garage apartments is key to finding the home you want. For instance, some people only want private garages. In those cases, their options are:

• A coach house or townhouse style layout in which the garage is attached, often immediately below the residence.
• An apartment complex in which garages stand alone or in rows within a parking lot but are not directly attached to the resident's unit or even building.

If you really want to be able to enter your home from your garage, you likely want a townhouse. On the other hand, if you just want a place to store your extra stuff, you may not care if your garage is a little farther from your front door.

Keep in mind, as you search for apartments, though, that if they claim to have garages, you may not see them in photos if they aren't attached.

1. Start your Search Early

Start looking for a garage apartment at least two months before you’d like to move out of your current home.

Garage apartments, especially private garages, are often in high demand for the reasons we discussed above. There may even be waitlists for garages in some cases.

Starting your apartment hunt early is the best way to avoid becoming overwhelmed and give yourself enough time to find an apartment that’s a good match for you.

Another factor in getting the timing right depends on when you choose to rent, taking into account the seasonality of the rental industry. The best time to rent an apartment with the most availability is in the summer months, before August.

If you’re lucky, and your timing is right, you may even catch a few move-in specials.

2. Search for Listings Online and Use Filters

Use apartment rental platforms with real-time listings, like Apartment List which are updated hourly, to find apartments with garages. Using the filter options, select “garage” and you’ll only see results with garages.

Alternatively, you can filter using other amenities, price, or location to see even more options.

If you want to save even more time and get instant results, take our rental quiz and be sure to select “garage” as your preferred amenity. From there, you’ll be matched with curated apartment lists based on your chosen preferences.

3. Schedule Apartment Tours

If you see an apartment you like and it has a garage listed, schedule a tour as early as possible. Many apartment listings don’t include garage pictures, so visiting in person will show you exactly what you’re working with.

While you’re there, also ask other apartment rental questions to make the process smoother.

When it comes to renting an apartment with a garage, it’s important to prepare questions that go beyond the basics, like “How much is rent?” or “Is this a pet-friendly apartment?”

You’ll need to ask questions specific about the garage:

• How many parking spaces does the unit come with?
• Are there any additional fees associated with the garage?
• How does guest parking work?
• Can I rent additional parking spaces for my household?
• Can I use the garage for personal use beyond car storage?

You need to learn as much as you can about the garage, especially since it’ll likely increase your rent significantly. Also, use your tour as an opportunity to get an idea of the apartment’s state. You don’t want to overlook any potential issues, such as bed bugs or mold.

Take your time and thoroughly inspect the apartment to avoid any significant issues that may pop up later on.

4. Apply and Sign Your Lease

Applying for an apartment is a straightforward process in which you provide relevant information about yourself to your prospective landlord or property manager.

To complete your application, you’ll need to have ID, proof of income, and details about your employment and rental history on hand. Other documents may be required.

You’ll also be asked to provide consent for background and credit checks, so it’s a good idea to review your credit score before applying to an apartment.

Once you have submitted your application, your landlord will review it to ensure that you are an ideal tenant. They may check up on the rental references you provided, so be sure to give your references a heads-up beforehand.

If you are approved for the apartment (Yay!), you’ll be asked to sign a lease agreement and pay associated fees, as well as a security deposit, to formalize the arrangement.

Review the lease agreement before signing it. It’s essential to know what you are agreeing to, as lease agreements are legally binding documents.

Once you sign a lease agreement, you’re on the hook when it comes to following all its terms, regardless of your lease length.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Apartments with Garages?

An apartment with a garage sounds good on paper, but it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of renting one.

What Are the Pros of Apartments with Garages?

• More Security: The risk of break-ins and hit-and-run accidents is simply higher when you leave your car parked on the street. A garage offers protection from such events, especially if it has a locking mechanism.
• Guaranteed Spot: There’s nothing worse than arriving home from work and having to cruise around your neighborhood trying to find a spot. With a garage, your spot is always available just for you. Sounds like a dream, right?
• Convenience: If your apartment features an attached garage, you’ll have convenient access to your car, meaning no slogging in the rain or trying to remember how far down the road you parked last night.
• Vehicle Protection: Storing your car in a garage means that it’s protected from the elements. There’s no snow to brush off or ice to scrape off in the winter months. Hail isn’t a problem either. Nor is there any other potential disaster.
• Extra Space: Whether you want to turn your garage into the perfect home gym setup or you need a place to store your belongings, garages offer the extra square footage you’ll need to make it happen.

What Are the Cons of Apartments with Garages?

• Cost: Apartments with garages typically come with higher price tags than those without. Garages are highly coveted amenities, especially in major cities where parking may be scarce. Be prepared to face a lot of competition for apartments with garages.
• May Have Limited Space: If you have a larger vehicle or a household with multiple vehicles, you may find that an apartment with a garage doesn’t have enough space to accommodate your needs.
• Availability: Unfortunately, apartments with garages aren’t commonplace. They are typically found in newly-built apartments, which can increase the cost and competition for these units.

Find a Garage Apartment Today

Although apartments with garages are good to have, you’ll ultimately have to decide whether renting an apartment with a garage is the right move for you.

If you have a car and are interested in having secure parking whenever you need it, then it might be a good move.

Additionally, if you could use the extra space a garage provides, then go for it. Otherwise, you may be better off saving a few hundred and looking for apartments without garages.

Regardless of your choice, your apartment search starts with your preferences. Use Apartment List to filter for "garage" under your amenities preferences and get matched with a great place today. And you can take our personalized Apartment List quiz to find the ideal apartment for all your needs and preferences.

Garage Apartment FAQs

What is another name for a garage apartment?

Other terms that people might use for garage apartments include coach house, which is a historic term for a carriage house with rowhouses above it, garage suite, and, in the cases of apartments above garages, people also use the terms granny flat and in-law suite.

What is a garage with living space above it called?

A fully constructed living space above a garage is usually called a garage suite if it's used by the owner or their family, and sometimes called a garage apartment if the owner chooses to rent it out.

Do apartments come with a garage?

Some, but not all, apartments come with a garage. Don’t assume an apartment comes with a garage unless that is included in the listing or amenities.

Do garages count as livable space?

No, normal garages don’t count as livable space.