previous tenant's belongings

frugglewump · 17 January 2006 at 11:50PM

The house we are buying had tenants that moved out day before we viewed - 1st week of december.

As part of the fixtures & fittings we asked if the landlord would consider leaving the washing machine for a price and it turns out it belonged to the tenants, so he says we can have it for free.

If they want it back I suppose we'll have to give it to them - but it's an old machine and i don't know if it works, so what happens if I've got rid of it?

I get the feeling he's going to leave us all the stuff the tenants left behind - how long do we legally have to keep the stuff for? I have no use for all the baby / toddler stuff all over the house and will probably donate or eBay it.

BobProperty · 17 January 2006 at 11:59PM

Quick tired reply, it the vendor's problem (i.e. the landlord). You need to clarify with him that what is left is either cleared out by him or is up to you to dispose of as you see fit (and he agrees in writing preferably). I don't think there is a set time for which you have to "keep the stuff" and if he knows what he is doing as a landlord he should have something in the tenancy agreement that sets out the terms of dealing with stuff that gets left by tenants.

silvercar · 18 January 2006 at 9:15AM

If your buying (as opposed to renting) you get vacant possession. The previous owner has to clear out all the junk, apart from anything you've agreed between you (usually included in the fixtures and fittings list. If he leaves a load of unwanted stuff, you would be within your rights to charge him the cost of removal.