Selling Property Left in Rented Accomodation

[Raistlin]

Evening All,

Quick question.

My 'rents-in-law own a house which they rent out.

The tennant that has just moved out has:

a) left the property in an awful state - cat urine everywhere on the carpets, as well as human urine, and some other random stains. On top of this the house needs redecorating top to bottom despite being newly done about 2 years ago, and the appliances (fridge, freezer, washing machine, oven) are all completely knackered.

b) left a lot of her property in the house, nothing of any great value just a load of old crap really.

Where do they stand with regards to the tenant's property? Do they have to wait a certain time before they can dispose of it? Can they sell it to recover their other losses? Do they have to retain it indefinitley?

Any (and all) help/advice gratefully received

[Kymmy]

They I believe have to give a reasonable amount of time (I'd suggest 28+ days) for the tenant to collect the property but can levy a storage charge on the goods. After that the goods can be sold to recoup the storage charge. Means that you don't have to give back any monies if the person comes looking for thier goods later on

Do they have a forwarding address?? If not a note in the window for the ex-tenant of the storage charge/time limit will be enough... (take a picture of it for proof)

[Raistlin]

I think they do have a forwarding address. The other issue that they have is that the're trying to sell the house. Do they have to 'store' the items at the current property, or can hey relocate them elsewhere?

Do you know all this from experience, or is there a source for this information? Not doubting you or anything (heaven forbid ), but I would like something I can direct them to if possible

Thanks

[WHISTLED]

Left through choice or evicted?

[Raistlin]

They were given more notice than was required under the contract that the house was being put up for sale, they were also offered first refusal at a preferential price.

They left, handing back the keys, in line with the requirements of the notice that was given to them.

[WHISTLED]

Then its trash - Same as if I left my old sofa in your garden.

Left voluntarily, and without objection, and with no pre or post request to keep the stuff.

[jonifen]

Is there no sort of law against the damage they have caused to the property? As even though they were renting it, at the end of the day, it is still your parents-in-law's property.
Also, if there is a statement in the tenancy agreement (there is one in ours) which states that the house should be kept in a presentable condition (or words to that effect at least) then you should have some sort of comeback from it all.

Some people have no respect for peoples belongings anymore. When we moved from our old house, we cleaned the place top to bottom and repainted the walls in the heavily used areas (hallway, staircase etc).

When the estate agent came to check all was fine before we handed the keys back, they said it was in better condition than their pre-letting checks

People can think what they like about us, but I wont have people thinking we're trampy and dirty.

[Raistlin]

Yep, and that's all covered by the Tenancy Agreement - unfortunately all landlords have to provide an 'assured' deposit. This basically means that even though the amount of damage caused will knock thousands off the value of the house, or will cost thousands to put right (and will be at least 4-5 times the value of the deposit), and even though it says in the tenancy agreement that money will be deducted from the deposit to cover any damage done, the tenant could still dispute the fact that they're not getting a penny back and drag everybody through a lengthy (and by no means gauranteed) arbitration process.

[jonifen]

Is it not a matter that could be raised with the Police? As for the damage will cost thousands to correct, it could be something which is claimed on the insurance and as such would maybe require a crime number of sorts?

I'm a bit vague on the laws surrounding this, I'm just bouncing ideas more than anything else.


Alternatively...

< immaturity-moment >
I suppose if you have a forwarding address you could return the human urine (or a replacement at least via the letter box)
< /immaturity-moment >

[idi banashapan]

should that sort of stuff not have been covered in the tenancy agreement?? I presume one was written up with a solicitor prior to the renting out of the property?

[Raistlin]

I refer the honourable gentleman to the answers I've already given above