Allowing new tenants to use garage for storage prior to lease start.

[Robin Grimes]

I recently leased out a house to a very nice older couple. The lease start date was about 8 days away. The tenants old lease ends in 38 days. They were just being very proactive in finding a new home and allowing ample time to move. The lease was signed, deposit and 1st month paid, then they asked if they could start moving stuff over and storing in garage, this being prior to lease start date. They both work full time and planned to move gradually, on their days off. Since I had deposit and first months rent, plus I wanted to start off the relationship on a good note, I agreed.

Their lease has started now and there were no problems.
However, thinking back on it, I realize that I opened myself to some risk. Their property was in my house, without a lease being in effect. What if their stuff had been stolen? a fire? broken water pipe, etc. With the lease not being active how liable was I? Was the open liability worth the small amount of goodwill?

What do you think?

--Robin

[Jon Holdman]

I always start the lease on the day we sign. If that's a few days before it truly starts, I add a note saying that some days are free. I get the deposit and first months rent in cash and they get the keys.