UK Landlord Forum / Life

After at last getting rid of tenant from hell I found two TRUCK loads of detritus in the loft

I know that the army lock their roof spaces but I have always thought that tenants are paying for it ( in a way)
And if there was any emergency etc etc

But
Do other people stop tenants using loft space?

Yes I've seen a lot of landlords install hasp and staple locks on the hatches (so the screws are covered).
No issue really so long as you make tenant aware beforehand there will be no loft access.

Although this will be difficult problem to resolve if it is deemed reasonable for the tenant to have access in an emergency. For example if the boiler or hot water tank is in the loft?

Oh for sure you can’t and wouldn’t want to lock out access to the boiler!
If nothing else that’s more hassle for you if something goes wrong.

Only works if the loft is empty and there is no need for the tenant to go there.

Cash in the Attic?

Seriously, when I first started out I was letting out my old home... I kept some of my tat in the loft too, and locked it, and noted it in the Tenancy Agreement. Now, I realise the OP doesn't want to use it as their own personal storage (like I did, and like I wouldn't recommend, and like I no longer do)... but it's simplest and best to just let them have all the space the property comes with... everyone seems to lack space and making changes based on one bad experience seems like an overreaction. If you need to add a clause into your AST that specifically says they must clear out the loft, too, at the end of the tenancy go for it... but, in reality, the loft is not a special place, right?

The OP could just as easily be saying - "After at last getting rid of tenant from hell I found two TRUCK loads of detritus in the kitchen" - and we wouldn't be suggesting it's OK to lock the Tenants out of the kitchen, would we?

The problem here is the Tenants from Hell, not the room of choice for dumping. 

Excellent point
Thanks

Months after a previous tenant left,I discovered he had left boxes of vinyl records in the loft.I tried to get in touch,but he was travelling abroad.Eventually I took them to a dealer.The tenant had a sideline as an Ibitha /rave DJ (he was a doctor!) I got £200 for them.

Truth is, I thought it mattered. I thought that music mattered. But does it bollocks. Not compared to how people matter.

Ah yes.....

Thank you for the music   !!    xxxxx