Letting someone stay in my condo for a few weeks

[iris lily]

You guys know stuff so I’m going to put my questions out to his board.

I will probably let someone stay in my condo for a few weeks. This is someone I do not know although I know of him. The situation is this: our old 1927 condo building is tearing up its sewer system and one unit in the building has to vacate. The occupant and owner of that unit, we will call him George, has  to be completely out for several weeks during this major sewer repair.

Oh folks it’s a really big deal…water will be off all day for many weeks ( turned back on in the evening) and they’re bringing in Portapotties.

But none of that is my problem since there’s no reason I have to stay there. But George is displaced and so I have tentatively offered my condo to him, but I made the offer through the president of our condo.

My condo is newly renovated and it has pretty floors and a marble countertop. The rest of the stuff I’m not terribly worried about since I will be moving my out my dishes and silverware, and the new sofa it is… Not one I love.

George is a recent ex smoker. He stopped smoking three weeks ago. He may not smoke in my condo at all even if he picks it up again. But it’s easy enough, I think, for him to go out on the back balcony if he gets the urge to smoke.

He also has a small dog. I suppose there will be dog accidents. The floor is really pristine but… I had to ask myself so I will just ask him to be real careful and pick up at 8P immediately.

So here is one of my concerns other than damage to floor and marble countertop:  I want to have a legal way to evict him if necessary. I hear all too often horror stories of well-meaning people who let their friends move in with them, and then it turns out that according to tenant rights that friend has legal rights to be on that property.

 I think I need a lease to control the situation. I’ll charge him a dollar a month or somesuch thing. I’m not intending to charge him or the condo assoc. any money. The president of the condo association said the condo association would be liable for any damage. OK whatever, I just don’t want the marble countertops ruined because they cannot be replace really. It’s a particular slab of marble that I love.

What words of wisdom do you all have about this situation? Please know that this is a condo building where with strong social relationships and condo officers are always available. I like and trust them.

[Miss Piggy]

He also has a small dog. I suppose there will be dog accidents. The floor is really pristine but… I had to ask myself so I will just ask him to be real careful and pick up at 8P immediately.

I can't answer your actual questions, but I feel compelled to share: I live in a brand new house with brand new floors and a (not at all brand new) small dog (20 pounds). The floors are supposedly scratch-proof, everything-proof luxury vinyl planks from Pergo. There are dog nail scratches all over it. They're not deep, and I can only see them when I'm on my knees deep-cleaning the floor, but they're there. So...loaner beware.

[Omy]

A short term lease might be a good idea. I'm concerned that George won't have any skin in the game. I would ask for a hefty security deposit, take lots of "before" photos to document the current condition, and charge A LOT of rent if he decides to stay longer than is agreed to in the lease.

[Adventine]

I don't understand why the condo board hasn't made provisions to house George somewhere else. Presumably he's also been paying his condo association dues?

[TMB]

Rental issues are very area specific given that LL/Tenant laws can vary widely.

Personally, I'd be more wary about a lease than not having a lease, as a lease says that this is a tenant, and tenant rights could apply.  What those exact rights are, depends on your location.

[PDXTabs]

A short term lease might be a good idea. I'm concerned that George won't have any skin in the game. I would ask for a hefty security deposit, take lots of "before" photos to document the current condition, and charge A LOT of rent if he decides to stay longer than is agreed to in the lease.

I like this idea, but I have no idea where condo is. Some places have limits on security deposits (eg, Portland, Seattle).

[Freedomin5]

I wouldn't, especially if it's a condo that you own, and you recently paid a not insignificant amount of money to update your condo. If you do rent it out to George, I would charge him the going rate for a beautifully renovated condo in your neighborhood with marble counters and pretty floors, and let him work it out with the condo board in terms of reimbursement from the condo board and let me him decide whether he wants to stay there. Why should you be out of a place to live (even if you have alternate living arrangements available) just because the condo board decided to rip up George's apartment? You're making it too complicated and getting yourself involved in something that is none of your business. If you want to be kind, offer your condo unit, but keep it clean and business-like by offering to rent it for the going rate. George still comes out ahead because he has a place to live in the building, and he saves on realtor fees he would've paid if he went out and found his own temporary condo. Also, remember that George isn't homeless even if he can't stay at your place. AirBnB does long-term/monthly leases and he wouldn't have to worry about messing up the owner's high-end finishes.

[iris lily]

This condo is in Missouri. It is ultra blue St. Louis  and so probably any local tenant laws if they exist will  heavily favor the tenant.

I dont live in this small condo, it is a pied a terre for when I visit the city.

I like the idea of a big deposit and I’ll see what exactly the condo association has to say about that.

Miss piggy, thank you for that note about dog nails on the floor. When I bought this condo the floor looked very good and I have not had my own dog in it. I do have dogs and this floor is high shine, so eventually my dog will make some scratches on it.

freedom5 you are right it’s not my business, but there is a real effort of camaraderie in this building to preserve it and take care if it.  It is a nice old building and so many of the people I know who live there have downsized from their big old houses in the surrounding area, so they are all building huggers.. The condo association didn’t randomly decide to tear up George’s apartment, this repair is physically necessary to perform the sewer work. They don’t have a choice.

[Metalcat]

Talk to a lawyer, ask the condo board to pay for it.

[iris lily]

I don't understand why the condo board hasn't made provisions to house George somewhere else. Presumably he's also been paying his condo association dues?

The condo board * IS * making provisions for George. They had as possibilities two condos in the building lined up for him to stay in, at least one of them belonging to a condo board member, but those two sold much faster than we all thought they would.

This condo has a market value of probably $85,000, so it’s not very high-end in general.

[Adventine]

I don't understand why the condo board hasn't made provisions to house George somewhere else. Presumably he's also been paying his condo association dues?

The condo board * IS * making provisions for George. They had as possibilities two condos in the building lined up for him to stay in, at least one of them belonging to a condo board member, but those two sold much faster than we all thought they would.

This condo has a market value of probably $85,000, so it’s not very high-end in general.

You're very generous to offer your property to your neighbor, and if you really want to do it, no one can stop you. But I think it's important to be aware that there is no foolproof way to eliminate any risk of damage to your unit, or of him staying longer than planned. If you're going to proceed with the arrangement, it's best to go into it with your eyes wide open.


A few thoughts on George's habits:
- he's an ex-smoker. If he takes up smoking again, even if he smokes only on your balcony, the smell will stick to his skin and clothes and he will carry that into your unit and onto your furniture (source)
- as you said, dogs have accidents. Unless you know how clean George keeps his unit, there's no guarantee his cleaning standards are the same as yours.
- the renovation could take much longer than the board planned.


My personal preference would be for the board to handle finding him another place to live that does not involve your unit. Even an Airbnb type situation in a nearby building would be a better solution.

[iris lily]

I met with the president and vice president of the condo Board yesterday evening and we went over my concerns. They are taking full responsibility for condition of my condo. They are sincere and capable people. The temporary tenant does not wish to be out of his place, he is displaced, so he will be anxious to get back into his own place.

They talked about how he uses Runners for his dog in his own place because the dog does not like slippery wood floors, so that problem is solved. They are going to cover the marble countertops in my kitchen. They will be moving in a couple pieces of his furniture and that’s fine with me, and DH and I will move a few things around here in the condo.

There is only one date in the entire 3 to 5 week period where I need to come to the city and would normally use this condo, so with this plan on that date I’ll just make a round-trip from my country house. They won’t charge me a condo fee during the time the temporary tenant is using it.

[PMJL34]

I'll say it...

High risk/no reward situation here.

The condo association is just taking advantage of you. If not for you, they'd pay for this tenant's displacement rent. Doesn't sound like you care and you want to be generous so it's okay.

Since you are committed, just don't think about it. Chances are everything will be just fine.

Hope it goes smoothly!

[iris lily]

I'll say it...

High risk/no reward situation here.

The condo association is just taking advantage of you. If not for you, they'd pay for this tenant's displacement rent. Doesn't sound like you care and you want to be generous so it's okay.

Since you are committed, just don't think about it. Chances are everything will be just fine.

Hope it goes smoothly!

Agree it’ll probably be fine but who knows. Keep in mind that I consider
 myself “the condo association. “What saves it money saves me money.

[Cassie]

My son lived with me for a year and smoked a lot on my balcony. Neither my furniture or condo smells like smoke so that’s probably not a valid concern. I understand wanting to help people and if the condo association is going to be responsible for damage it should be fine. I have had 4 dogs on pergo vinyl floors and the only way to see scratches is to literally sit on the floor. You can’t see any when standing. Since he owns his condo I can’t see any reason why he wouldn’t want to move back to his when ready.

[Dicey]

@iris lily, what did you decide to do?

[cchrissyy]

the dog nails scratching is a big deal.
i have had that happen on short simple visits.
i suggest if you do let him use your condo, you insist the dog be boarded elsewhere.

as far as how long a guest may stay before they get tenants rights, that is a question for your city or state rent board. none of us can guess those local rules.

good luck tho!

[ToTheMoon]

At the end of the day it is just stuff, and if the worst case is something gets damaged and the condo board goes good for the repairs you will be in pretty good shape.

Sometimes we just need to stop being so worried about the downside risks and worry more about our fellow neighbours (both literally and figuratively.)

You sound like a great human @iris lily. More of us should follow your lead.

TTM

[iris lily]

@iris lily, what did you decide to do?

I am letting him use my condo for the time of sewer repair which is estimated to be 4-6 weeks. I met with the condo Board officers and we have a memo of understanding.

These board members will cover my marble countertops. The tenant-guy  uses floor runners in his own condo for his old dog because the dog does not like  slick wood floors.

I agree with TooTheMoon that it is just “stuff” although marble counters are THOUSANDS of dollars and frankly, would never be replaced if slightly damaged.

But the rest of it…not a real concern. Sure I have a brand new WHITE sofa but it is just a sofa and we will cover it. . My antique bed…sturdy and nothing to break, and I will be removing the custom-made-by-me bedding for the duration of tenant’s stay.

They are waiving HOA fee for me during this stay so that is a little bit of financial compensation. I talked to my potential tenant and he is nice and wanted to impress on me how careful he is with his own antique furniture, so I think it will be fine.

[Ladychips]

I love that you are doing this. I'm not naturally generous, but I want to be (and I'm working on it). You've inspired me!

[Dicey]

Good for you and lucky for him. I hope things work out perfectly.

[iris lily]

My tenant, the subject of this thread, moved out yesterday. Everything went according to plan, there was no damage or problems. DH and I went to the city yesterday to check out the condo and it looks sparkling and great.

The tenant was effusive in his thanks, as were multiple condo board members.

Members of the board provided the muscle to move my tenant’s furniture up into my unit and then back down into his own unit. They have tons of work to do for this huge project of replacing the sewer under a 100 year old building.

This loan of my condo was the least I can do to help with this giant effort.

[ATtiny85]

Nice. Thanks for the update. You booked some good karma in that place.

[rosarugosa]

Great way to generate goodwill and increase social capital in your new condo community!

[Adventine]

I was a naysayer but I'm glad to know it worked out well for everyone involved!

[Chris Pascale]

My tenant, the subject of this thread, moved out yesterday. Everything went according to plan, there was no damage or problems. DH and I went to the city yesterday to check out the condo and it looks sparkling and great.

The tenant was effusive in his thanks, as were multiple condo board members.

Members of the board provided the muscle to move my tenant’s furniture up into my unit and then back down into his own unit. They have tons of work to do for this huge project of replacing the sewer under a 100 year old building.

This loan of my condo was the least I can do to help with this giant effort.

Happy this went well for you.

[Catbert]

Glad this worked out so well and that you got a bit of social capital from when you might need it.