Tenant wants to put Utility Trailer in backyard?

Question

Hi all,

My tenant has asked me about putting a utility trailer in the backyard. My property is a single family house hack with a huge backyard where these tenants live in the upstairs part of the house and I live in the bottom part with my girlfriend. There is a RV rock driveway that has a wood fence gate that opens up to the backyard where he could easily get in and out of.

I don't really want any eyesores, and "junk" in the backyard. He works in sheet metal fabrication, so I know he will use it a lot, but it is just a strange request.   I guess I could charge an extra "parking fee" for leaving it there, thoughts?

Here's what it looks like:

John N. · Answer

So you have a rock driveway and the trailer will not be damaging the landscaping?  He is in fabrication so the trailer probably is a part of his job or business?  Personally, if its not doing damage and it produces income for the tenant I would not have a problem allowing that trailer.  You have to remember that tenants aren't going to live exactly how you live.  What you consider an eyesore he might consider a point of pride in that he owns an income producing asset.

Not saying either is right or wrong but any two people are going to have widely varying perspectives.  Bottom line for me would be it doesn't violate city code, damage grass, violate HOA and presents no hazard I would try to look beyond "I don't like it"   I have tenants that do things I don't like but that doesn't mean they should not do them.

Ned J. · Answer

So it's a "huge backyard" with RV access driveway etc......and the tenants is great otherwise......very clean etc.....

Only 2 concerns...

(1) This is the start of wanting to store more stuff on the property...so you need to have a plan for that contingency...if not, more stuff will slowly start to appear....

(2) If the location the trailer is going to sit is going to get "destroyed"...... damages = $$, so that has to be factored in.....

As for the city...... they require a hard surface to store a trailer..... in your back yard..... seriously? I doubt that is any code that is enforced very often if at all...... if it was, there would be big $$ for the city to make around here :)

Michael Garofalo · Answer

What does your lease agreement say about trailers or oversized vehicles? Do you have anything in there that expressively prohibits it, or requires written permission from you, the landlord?

If it were me, and I didn't want the eyesore, I would politely say no and reference the lease agreement if you have something in there to justify the rejection. If there is nothing in the lease, then I would consider how good these tenants have been. If they have paid on time and not caused any issues, and you sense they might make for long-term tenants, I probably wouldn't charge anything extra. If they have been late on payments or caused other issues, then yes I would tell them there is going to be an additional fee. And I would make that fee somewhat substantial so that they have to really think twice about whether or not they need to have that thing accessible 24/7.

Michael Rickard · Answer

My opinion, if he is using it frequently to make money (in and out) then Yes, I would charge him a separate storage fee. I mean, anywhere else would charge him to park it.

Kenneth Garrett · Answer

@Jeff White

If you decide to make an addendum be very clear about where the trailer can be parked, only one trailer, must be licensed if required, address storage of products for trailer, etc.  What happens in the winter with snow and ice.  Who is responsible for removing it.  What happens to damage to your gate or fence.  Winter is hell on everything.

Finally, many cities have restrictions on trailers, RV’s, boats, cars, etc, parked in the backyard.  Check there first.

Good Luck.

Account Closed · Answer

@Jeff White

“No problem, looks like the going rage for parking is $xxx.xx so let’s say we do 75% of that and it’s win-win? This way you save some cash and have easier access to it. I would, however, require that it be kept in good condition and not be piled high with junk at any time. Does this sound reasonable?”

Very difficult for someone to tell you you’re being unreasonable when they see the whites of your eyes. If he says no, send the trailer packing. He won’t say no.

Todd Fithian · Answer

@Jeff White if he pays on time, and a good guy, I’d let him.  I’ve got trailers myself and works construction and having a trailer at my house makes life and and saving time a million times easier.  It’s not a huge toy hauler, it’s just a little trailer in a huge yard.

Jeff White · Answer

@Kenneth Garrett

@John N.

@Michael Garofalo

Thanks all for the help, I did check with the city about it, and they said you have to have a hard surface or concrete/paver driveway to park it on or else it is a code violation since grass isn't a hard surface. Also, the location he would want to park it in the backyard, it would destroy the grass.  It is actually bigger than the picture!

Going forward, I will add something in my lease regarding a little more detail for vehicles/RVs/Trailers/etc, storage, licensing, etc.

Michael Garofalo · Answer

Ok, yes looks like no specific verbiage for this scenario exists, but at the end of the day, to me it sounds like you are not comfortable with him bringing this thing in. This is not a situation where the trailer could be considered necessary for medical or emotional well-being purposes (or at least I don't think that argument would ever hold up in court, however I am not a lawyer). It seems like these tenants are reasonable people, so worst case they will be a little pissed off if you tell them no, and potentially won't renew their lease at the end of their term.

For future lease agreements, maybe put something in there that strictly prohibits trailers of any kind so you never have to deal with this situation again? Just my 2 cents, best of luck navigating through this issue!

Jeff White · Answer

@Michael Rickard That's true, he would have to pay to store it at any parking garage or parking lot.

@Michael Garofalo  Just checked my lease....there is a section for Parking, it states, "Vehicles parked at the Premises must be in working, driving condition. Tenant may not repair Tenant's vehicles on the Premises if such repairs take longer than one day, unless in a enclosed garage. Vehicles may never, under any condition, be parked in or driven on the yard of the Premises.  Tenant may not park more than one vehicle, per adult living at the home, at the Premises. Tenant has no rights in or to any particular parking spot, and Landlord does not guarantee Tenant a parking spot on the Premises or any property surrounding the Premises. If street parking is permitted by applicable laws, Tenant may be permitted to park vehicles on the street in front of the Premises in accordance with all such laws; however, Landlord does not guaranty the availability, quality or location of any street parking. In no event shall Landlord be liable for any damage or loss to Tenant's vehicles or to any personal property contained in such vehicles."

It appears that I would have to do an addendum to account for this utility trailer if I did decide to go through with letting them leave it there.

They have been good tenants, pay on-time, keep their space fairly clean and don't complain about minor issues, it would be weird having a trailer back there, but if they paid more, I guess I would be open to it, I just don't want to make the place a junkyard for future tenants that might live there in the unit that I'm in now.

Tenant wants to put Utility Trailer in backyard?

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