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how do you start a collaborative space without organizational skills?

 
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Location: Tampa, United States
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I own a sub urban house in Tampa currently vacant, and have attempted to start a Makerspace there by advertising free rent for the place. It has a huge yard with hugelculture that I started and just sank into the ground over time. I had a relationship with 'hackers' briefly which ended by them moving to another space that I found, and it seems to be going well for them but soured our relationship when they removed all the tools I had gathered.

I think the best use is someone who needs a living space but also wants to promote sustainability through projects that can enable others to pilot projects then move forward elsewhere, but it doesn't seem like Tampa Florida has much interest in this. There must be creative people who care about building Green, alternative energy, and the Circular economy, but how do I find them?

The other issue is letting someone move in or use the house without losing control of it, or being liable for accidents, illegal activities, or other disagreements.
Any suggestions are welcome, before I return to renting it and feeling I missed an opportunity to do Good. I took one of the Makers suggestion to just 'take the money' and support my beliefs in other ways but that has felt hollow and unsatisfying.
 
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Location: Left Coast Canada
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Sounds cool.

letting someone move in or use the house without losing control of it



Look into your local rental laws.  Here, free access has very little protection for either party, if one party misbehaved.  But it only takes one dollar a month to become a renter which gives both parties a whole lot of legal protection, rights, and responsibilities.

With some, we had a ritual the person would hand us one dollar rent, each month then we would give them one dollar as thanks for being lovely.  

Personally, I found one dollar rental to be too low as the other people treated the property with disrespect.  $100 (where the local rent for a space that size starts at about $1,500 and average out about $3,000 a month) is about right.  It's enough that the place has perceived value and things are less likely to get broken.  The rent can get put towards future improvements for the space or electrical bill.
 
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I have always found that folks abuse rather than appreciate things that are free.

My suggestion would be to offer the property for rent though lower than other places.

A good rental agreement is also good as gold.

If you want to support a Green, alternative energy, and the Circular economy why not do that here on the forum?  Write posts or topic that will help folks learn how to live this lifestyle?

 
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I agree 100% with Anne.   I had people who I thought I knew well house sit…basically free rent. They contacted me after a few months  and wanted me to pay them.  I took the time to drive the 500 miles to check on them. They had trashed the place.  I mean a serious trashing.  …destroyed wood stove…destroyed chimney….destroyed well ….   I have heard similar stories from others.
 
I agree. Here's the link: http://stoves2.com
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