UK Landlord Forum / Life

Right.
I have finally got possession of my flat back via the correct procedure.... My T and her 10 year old daughter have moved out. Most of their possessions have been moved out also, however some items remain (old settee, dining table/chairs, some clothes and a few kithen items).  She has moved to her friends so I should imagine that there is no room for the remaining items that is at my flat. She left owing over 3 months rent, not forgetting the court fees she now owes as well.

My property is in the latter stages of the selling process at present, so I really need to find out my best options regarding the removal of her remaining bits and pieces. I have tried to get in contact, but she has failed to reply.

Thanks. Dan

Hi Dan,

If you want to dispose of your T's belongings, then you have to give a reasonable period of notice before doing so, 21 days is usually OK. You're also entitled to sell the goods and keep any costs that were incurred through storage, removal and sale. The laws says you also need to get the best price and then return the amount beyond the costs to the tenant.

Yes, you should keep these items for a period of time... inform the Tenant (your best efforts) that they are wherever they are and can be collected, otherwise after so many days you will dispose of them... this could be selling (if they're worth anything at all) or it could be taking to the dump (or use Freecycle, those Wombles will take anything, I kid you not)... if you incur any costs (dumping, storage) then you can add these to whatever else might be owed.

You seem to have done everything right so far... so get to the end in the same vein. Don't just dump them right now. I expect you just want it to be over and that can't be long now. Keep copies of anything you send to the Tenant (if using normal post then two copies sent from two different Post Offices is a good way of having great evidence something will have arrived with a person - Post Office provide proof of posting for anything, of course... if you decide to hand-deliver anything to the friend's address, try to have a witness with you.

Good luck. Soon this will all be history.

Cheers for the replies.

I've been trying to contact my T to remove the rest of her stuff since the date of the court possession order. This being the 27th June. She hasn't replied to my texts (our usual way of contact). That said, I suppose I have given her ample time to arrange to collect it by now. As I have only just found out where she is staying, do you think, if I took it and dumped it on the front garden of where she's staying, that would be ok

It has sure taken it's time this eviction saga, but like you say Hippogrif, it will soon be history. Cheers for your support ;-)

Down but not quite out....

Quote from: danno82 on July 16, 2014, 03:56:49 PMAs I have only just found out where she is staying, do you think, if I took it and dumped it on the front garden of where she's staying, that would be ok

You know, it actually might... the tenancy is formally over, right? It's not something I've ever experienced... but all you are doing is returning someone's property to them, plus doing it at your cost. Whatever you choose to do I would keep records of all communication and ensure that it all sounds eminently reasonable / even helpful.