Q: If I rented space in my yard to store boats and wrote a receipt without terms, is the receipt a binding contract?
I rented some space in my yard to someone to store a couple boats. He paid me $500 upfront for 2 months. I was not aware of the cost of storing a boat. I left for a couple hours and when I came back there was 5 boats, a total of 120 ft in total length and scattered all around the yard not parked where we agreed. He also left ruts in the yard. I wrote a receipt with no set terms and only I signed it. I contacted him the next day saying that I had done some research and we needed to renegotiate. I laid out new terms, under market value and sent them to him through text message. He said we would discuss when I saw him next. I stated that there was nothing to discuss as my offer was more than reasonable and it was the least I would accept. He left a message this morning with a picture of the receipt saying " This is a legal binding contract. You may want to get legal consult. " Is the contract legal and if not what would I do now that he refuses to move the boats.
A: We are not allowed to give specific legal advise on this website. But generally a signed contract in writing will be enforced by a court. Best to do what he said and get a legal consult/opinion , but we would need to see the contract to tell you if your contract could be enforced and expect a lawyer to charge your for this time and advise.
A: The position to take is that thee was no meeting of the minds and, thus, no contract. The worst csase scenario is that it is a month to month lease, if no term was agreed upon. So before the beginning of the next month.s term, give him written notice that the lease is terminated, Send the notice by certified mail, CMRRR, text, first class mail, tack one on his boat, and, if possible give him one personally. In the note , state that he has damaged the property, that you are obtaining an estimate from a landscaper, and will file suit to collect the cost to repair.
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