I am renting hanger space to a fellow for the assembly of his light sport aircraft. The agreement is that he pay me a small amount for the use of the building and my normal shop rate for my services.




I have just a couple of questions as I put my REALTOR hat on -


1. Do you own the hangar or are you leasing it? If you are leasing, many leases do not allow sub-leasing without the owner's permission. And whether or not you two signed a lease, you are sub-leasing if you are taking money. Why do I bring it up? Because it gives you an out. "Sorry, Dude. I can't sub-lease and I can't let you stay for free. So you gotta go. Sorry..."


2. If you own it or can sublease, do you have a lease written with him? If not, you had better get one signed - and fast. I would be more worried about him (or his heir) slipping on an oil spot on the floor and claiming injuries and suing you for that. He doesn't even have to die for you to be sued. Just tell him that you need a lease, and if he won't sign one that absolves you of any responsibility for when he slips, then you just say, "Sorry, Dude. You gotta go..."


Just trying to give you some practical knowledge that has nothing to do aviation, and I, to be clear, am not providing legal advice. I am just telling you that you might want to see an attorney and protect yourself if you are going to allow him to stay in your hangar. You have more to worry about in this arrangement than him dying on a test flight.