7 Things to Check Before Signing a Hangar Lease

Signing a hangar lease feels like a formality when you've finally found space after months on a waiting list. Don't let the excitement rush you past details that can cost you thousands later.

Here are 7 things experienced hangar tenants check before signing.

1. Measure the Actual Hangar, Not Just the Listing

This sounds obvious, but it's the most common mistake. Hangar dimensions in listings and ads reflect the building, not necessarily the usable space your aircraft needs.

Things to physically measure before signing:

• Door width: Measured at its narrowest point. Does it clear your aircraft's widest point (usually wingtip to wingtip) with room to spare?
• Door height: Don't forget antennas, ELT whip antennas, and any accessories on top of the fuselage.
• Clear depth: Measure from the inside of the closed door to the back wall. Factor in your aircraft's tail height against the sloped back wall if present.
• Floor obstacles: Drain covers, tie-down rings, and utility access panels can interfere with parking position.

If the hangar belongs to a row of T-hangars, note whether the unit you're touring is the same size as the one you'll actually get. Sizes within a row often vary.

2. Understand What's Included and What Isn't

Ask explicitly before assuming:

• Is electricity included, or billed separately?
• Is the hangar heated? If so, is heat included or separately metered?
• Who maintains the door (electric motor, hydraulic system, springs)?
• Who clears snow or debris from the apron in front of your door?
• Is there a floor drain, and who handles drain maintenance?

Door repairs on an electric bi-fold or hydraulic door can run $500–$2,000. If the lease makes you responsible, budget accordingly.

3. Read the Subletting Clause Carefully

Life changes. You might need to sell your aircraft, deploy, or just stop flying for a season. If you can't sublet, you're paying rent on an empty hangar.

Most airport leases prohibit subletting without written landlord approval. Some prohibit it entirely. Negotiate a clear subletting provision before you sign, or at minimum understand exactly what approvals are required and how long they take.

If subletting is allowed, find out whether the subtenant must also be approved by the airport, whether there's a fee, and whether the original lease terms (including rent) must pass through unchanged.

4. Verify the Lease Term and Exit Provisions

Month-to-month leases give you flexibility but often come with higher rates or less security. Annual leases offer predictable pricing but trap you if circumstances change.

Key questions:

• What notice do you need to give to vacate? (30, 60, or 90 days is typical)
• What notice does the landlord need to give to terminate your tenancy?
• Are there automatic renewal clauses? (Leases that auto-renew annually unless you cancel 90 days in advance are easy to miss)
• Is there a penalty for early termination, and what is it?

Some airport leases are with the municipality, not an FBO. Those often have different notice requirements and may involve waiting lists if you want to return.

5. Clarify Liability for Damage

This is the section most people skip that causes the most disputes.

• What happens if your aircraft damages the hangar (wingtip through a wall, fuel spill)?
• What happens if the hangar damages your aircraft (roof leak, door failure, flood)?
• Is the landlord liable for consequential damages (loss of use of your aircraft while it's being repaired)?
• Does the landlord carry property insurance on the structure? Do you need to carry liability coverage for your use of the premises?

Check your aircraft insurance policy as well. Most aviation policies cover physical damage to the aircraft regardless of where it's stored, but some have exclusions for "improper storage." Make sure your policy is compatible with the lease requirements.

6. Ask About Rent Increases

Hangar rents at many airports have increased 30–50% over the past five years as demand has outpaced supply. Before signing, ask:

• Is rent fixed for the lease term, or can it increase?
• If it can increase, is there a cap (e.g., CPI + 2%)?
• What has the rent history been for this unit over the past 3–5 years?
• Is this airport controlled by a municipality with public rate schedules? (If so, increases may require public notice and hearings, which are more predictable.)

A seemingly reasonable $350/month T-hangar that's been increasing 15% annually will be $680/month in six years. Factor in trajectory, not just today's rate.

7. Confirm Access Hours and Security

What good is a hangar if you can't get to your aircraft when you want to fly?

• What are the official access hours for the ramp and hangar area?
• Is there 24/7 gate access, or is the gate locked overnight?
• How is access managed: PIN code, key fob, or physical key?
• Can you change your access credentials easily if they're compromised?
• Is there video surveillance on the ramp and/or inside the hangar row?
• Has the airport had any break-ins or aircraft theft in recent years?

Many pilots are surprised to find that their "always available" hangar has a gate that locks at 8pm or requires a security deposit to access after hours.

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Taking 30 minutes to go through these seven points before signing can save you from years of frustration. The best hangar lease is one where both sides understand exactly what they're agreeing to, and that only happens when you ask the right questions upfront.