Storing friends property in garage.

jackieblack

My ex husband asked me if he could store his motorbike in my garage over the winter months and I agreed. (We are still on good terms and he accepted less than he was entitled to during our divorce as it was the only way I could keep our home, so I am happy to help him out.)

Now his house mate has been let down with his planned winter storage and has asked if he can also store his bike in my garage. He's offered to pay a small amount each month as having both bikes there will mean that I am unable to use that half of the garage for the duration.
(The garage is divided into two halves and I will still have use of the other half.)

I'm told that both bikes will be insured and the insurers notified that the bikes will be in the garage at this address.

The queries I have are:
Are there any implications to me in allowing this?
Are there any implications if I accept the storage fee offered?

pinkshoes

If you have the space and you get on well, then as long as it in insured, I'd just let him store stuff there for free.

Nice to keep things on good terms, even if you are no longer together.

getmore4less

Do you need the space,
Will they want access,
Will they have chargers on the batteries
Can that space be secured separately from yours.
If there was just one bike could you use part of it.

You could just treat this as a favor for the ex and let the friend buy him a few beers.
Just be clear about the scope of the favor

davidmcn

Motor insurance for the bikes doesn't seem relevant once they're off the road.

Your income is taxable. Your buildings insurers might want to know. It might be a breach of your title/lease conditions. But this is probably too trivial for anybody to get excited about.

jackieblack

getmore4less wrote: »

Do you need the space,
Will they want access,
Will they have chargers on the batteries
Can that space be secured separately from yours.
If there was just one bike could you use part of it.

You could just treat this as a favor for the ex and let the friend buy him a few beers.
Just be clear about the scope of the favor

Do you need the space, I can manage without for a few months
Will they want access, possibly, I'm happy for ex to have a key for the front garage door
Will they have chargers on the batteries not as far as I'm aware, I'll check
Can that space be secured separately from yours. Yes, the front half of the garage is divided by a stud work and plasterboard wall. Front can be accessed from the driveway, access to the back half, where my stuff is stored,is via the garden which is not accessible without coming through the house.
If there was just one bike could you use part of it. yes

jackieblack

davidmcn wrote: »

Motor insurance for the bikes doesn't seem relevant once they're off the road.

Your income is taxable. Your buildings insurers might want to know. It might be a breach of your title/lease conditions. But this is probably too trivial for anybody to get excited about.

Thanks.

Re Insurance, I was thinking it might be relevant in case of theft, house fire, etc

AdrianC

davidmcn wrote: »

Motor insurance for the bikes doesn't seem relevant once they're off the road.

...right up until the point they get nicked.

davidmcn

AdrianC wrote: »

...right up until the point they get nicked.

Yes, but that's a problem for the bike owners (who might want to tell their insurers where the bikes are) - not the OP.

eddddy

I guess one specific area of concern over insurance...

Does the policy require them to be kept in a locked garage? I guess there's the risk that you use the garage and forget to lock it - and the bikes get stolen.

It's bad when you lose your own stuff that way, but perhaps it's worse when you lose somebody else's.

jackieblack

eddddy wrote: »

I guess one specific area of concern over insurance...

Does the policy require them to be kept in a locked garage? I guess there's the risk that you use the garage and forget to lock it - and the bikes get stolen.

It's bad when you lose your own stuff that way, but perhaps it's worse when you lose somebody else's.

I wouldn't be using the front half of the garage once the bikes are in there. The back door has a lock which locks automatically when the door is closed.

The bikes are not currently kept in a garage at ex's home, so I'm guessing it's not a requirement of the policy.

And, although you can never say never, this is a much lower crime area than where ex is now living.

jackieblack

davidmcn wrote: »

Yes, but that's a problem for the bike owners (who might want to tell their insurers where the bikes are) - not the OP.

I would be happier knowing that the bikes were properly insured in case of something like theft, house fire etc as I would feel a sense of responsibility.