Vehicle storage dispute

[pamminor]

We rented a home in Colorado from a friend(big mistake!)which completely fell through and we decided it would be best to move from the property. Anyway, we had two vehicles parked on the property and via a verbal agreement they were to remain there until we were able to find a place for them. Now, they are trying to charge us storage fees of $13 per day and will not allow us to remove the vehicles until it is paid. They have removed the front tires from both vehicles. My question is, do they have the right to charge storage fees even when nothing was ever said until now? And, if so, how much are they allowed to charge? We never signed a lease for the rental of the property, (everything was verbal) and we also never signed anything to do with the storage of the vehicles. HELP!!

Thanks,
Pamela

 

[loku]

Vehicle storage

Whether you owe them for storage depends on the agreement you had. If it was understood that there would be no charge, or if reasonable persons in the situation would have understood that there would be no charge, then there should be no charge. Otherwise, there would be a charge. If you were friends and nothing was mentioned either way, probably that would indicate there would be no charge. The only trouble with having an oral agreement is that you have to convince the court of the terms.

As far as the amount of the charge if there is one, a reasonable charge would be allowed. What is reasonable depends on all the facts and circumstances. (for example, how much would it have cost you for similar storage elsewhere?)