Help regarding inventories on rented property

katie07

Hi - I'm kind of new to these forums so please be gentle! :-)

My partner and I have recently moved into a rented 'fully furnished' flat. When we moved in we were given an inventory to check and amend and return, as normal. However, there was a lot of stuff in the property that wasn't on the inventory and frankly was a bit shoddy (dirty/broken etc). Most of the bits were in the kitchen, and as the kitchen itself was a bit dirty overall we just decided to get rid of all the little bits that weren't on the inventory that we didn't want, so took them down to the charity shop (they filled a box).

I thought that would be fine, as the only bits that were on the inventory that we got rid of were "various items of cutlery, glassware and chinaware" or something.

However, out of the blue, my partner received a phonecall from the LA last week asking if there was a grill pan in the oven (there wasn't) as the guy that did the inventory couldn't remember seeing one. They also said they are going to replace the bin as the lid is broken.

Now my partner is panicking as he thinks they will come after us at the end of the lease, wanting all the stuff we took to the charity shop back, and subsequently taking the cost out of our deposit. I am convinced they can't do this as they can't prove the items were there as they weren't on the inventory. Is this right? Or should I too start panicking?! I've already said to him we'll buy a few bits (aforementioned cutlery etc) from the charity shop when we move out to leave in the property, but I am certain that none of the other stuff was on the inventory (I double checked before chucking!).

Can someone please help just to set our minds at ease?! The reason my partner is panicking so much is because they have been so pedantic regarding the grill pan - specifically ringing to find out if that was there, 3 weeks after we'd moved in!

The landlord lives in Swaziland and has been abroad for at least a year or 2, so I don't know if the items belonged to him or previous tenants. I was assuming they belonged to tenants though..

Sorry for rambling on. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks

NEH

katie07 wrote: »

Hi - I'm kind of new to these forums so please be gentle! :-)

My partner and I have recently moved into a rented 'fully furnished' flat. When we moved in we were given an inventory to check and amend and return, as normal. However, there was a lot of stuff in the property that wasn't on the inventory and frankly was a bit shoddy (dirty/broken etc). Most of the bits were in the kitchen, and as the kitchen itself was a bit dirty overall we just decided to get rid of all the little bits that weren't on the inventory that we didn't want, so took them down to the charity shop (they filled a box).

I thought that would be fine, as the only bits that were on the inventory that we got rid of were "various items of cutlery, glassware and chinaware" or something.

However, out of the blue, my partner received a phonecall from the LA last week asking if there was a grill pan in the oven (there wasn't) as the guy that did the inventory couldn't remember seeing one. They also said they are going to replace the bin as the lid is broken.

Now my partner is panicking as he thinks they will come after us at the end of the lease, wanting all the stuff we took to the charity shop back, and subsequently taking the cost out of our deposit. I am convinced they can't do this as they can't prove the items were there as they weren't on the inventory. Is this right? Or should I too start panicking?! I've already said to him we'll buy a few bits (aforementioned cutlery etc) from the charity shop when we move out to leave in the property, but I am certain that none of the other stuff was on the inventory (I double checked before chucking!).

Can someone please help just to set our minds at ease?! The reason my partner is panicking so much is because they have been so pedantic regarding the grill pan - specifically ringing to find out if that was there, 3 weeks after we'd moved in!

The landlord lives in Swaziland and has been abroad for at least a year or 2, so I don't know if the items belonged to him or previous tenants. I was assuming they belonged to tenants though..

Sorry for rambling on. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks

Just saw your post when I waas trying to find something else...It depends how specific the inventory was, one of mine listed all furniture etc but when It came to certain kitchen items they weren't that specific and put general kitchen items....What's done is done now though there is nothing you can do about it and all you can do should it come up at the end is offer to pay for replacements just hope nothing that you threw out was valuable

katie07

Well that's the thing - some bits were really specific but the stuff we chucked wasn't mentioned at all. Not even under "odds and ends in kitchen" or anything like that!

Anyway, I'm pretty sure if they start to make a fuss then we can argue it, as it wasn't on the inventory. And I'm pretty sure none of it was expensive!! I definitely saw a couple of the things we chucked in Homebase and TKMaxx :-)

Thanks for replying

Jowo_2

Are you planning to leave the replacement items in the property for the next tenants when the tenancy ends?

katie07

We didn't get replacement items - they were bits and pieces that weren't necessarily needed, and they weren't on the inventory. I can't even remember all the stuff - a clock, cooling tray, normal trays....just stuff that we didn't want or need really. I was going to get some plates etc and cutlery and glasses when we leave to leave in the property, but that was the only stuff that was on the inventory that we got rid of. And there was only a handful of that stuff anyway - not like they had a complete matching set!

[Deleted User]

if the place was filthy, with broken items - document everything on the inventory, sign it and return it - if the landloed has any issues with it they will come right back to you.

We also take pictures now when we enter rented property as we have previouly been charged cleaning/replacement charges for things filthy and broken on moving in.

If something is not listed on the inventory - it is entirly up to you what you do with it.

DVardysShadow

Personally. I would not have chucked it out, I would have gathered it in a cardboard box and put it out of the way. But if it is not on the inventory, then they can't claim from your deposit

theartfullodger

Careful chaps! All things should be assumed to be owned by someone (Landlord, previous tenant...) and disposing of stuff that ain't yours should only be done when you are certain you ain't breaking the law... What Law ?? Ah...

The "Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977".

In particular Schedule 1 states

SCHEDULE 1 Uncollected Goods

Part I Power to Impose Obligation to Collect Goods

1(1)For the purposes of section 12(1) a bailee may, in the circumstances specified in this Part of this Schedule, by notice given to the bailor impose on him an obligation to take delivery of the goods.
(2)The notice shall be in writing, and may be given either—
(a)by delivering it to the bailor, or
(b)by leaving it at his proper address, or
(c)by post.
(3)The notice shall—
(a)specify the name and address of the bailee, and give sufficient particulars of the goods and the address or place where they are held, and
(b)state that the goods are ready for delivery to the bailor, or where combined with a notice terminating the contract of bailment, will be ready for delivery when the contract is terminated, and
(c)specify the amount, if any, which is payable by the bailor to the bailee in respect of the goods and which became due before the giving of the notice.
(4)Where the notice is sent by post it may be combined with a notice under Part II of this Schedule if the notice is sent by post in a way complying with paragraph 6(4).
(5)References in this Part of this Schedule to taking delivery of the goods include, where the terms of the bailment admit, references to giving directions as to their delivery.
(6)This Part of this Schedule is without prejudice to the provisions of any contract requiring the bailor to take delivery of the goods.

So that's clear ain't it (?? b*****ed if I know what that means entirely..).


Interesting question this. On one house I rent out there are several drawers & cupboards full of cutlery, glasses, china etc (clean mind!!). None mentioned on any inventory (who wants to count forks??). They get passed on each year to the next tenants (student let). Presumably I as LL am liable for any claim by any ex-Tenant regarding these items...

Cheers!

Lodger

NEH

theartfullodger wrote: »

Careful chaps! All things should be assumed to be owned by someone (Landlord, previous tenant...) and disposing of stuff that ain't yours should only be done when you are certain you ain't breaking the law... What Law ?? Ah...

The "Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977".

In particular Schedule 1 states


So that's clear ain't it (?? b*****ed if I know what that means entirely..).


Interesting question this. On one house I rent out there are several drawers & cupboards full of cutlery, glasses, china etc (clean mind!!). None mentioned on any inventory (who wants to count forks??). They get passed on each year to the next tenants (student let). Presumably I as LL am liable for any claim by any ex-Tenant regarding these items...

Cheers!

Lodger

My letting agent's company that did the inventory a couple of years ago counted the forks, knives etc...

orangeslimes

I think it is not really worth worrying about it. It's more than likely just the previous tenants unwanted junk and if it belonged to the landlord it probably wasn't anything they treasured either.
the loss of a few kitchen bits and bobs should count as wear and tear anyway surely?

clutton_2

next time just ask the LL or LA what they want to do about such things .... you made an assumption no one wanted them - it would have been polite to ask