my lodgers belongings (not sure if right forum)

beelzebub_2

hi i had a lodger move out on the 4th of sepember i'm wondering how long legally I have to keep her belongings, and whether I can sell any of them to pay for the bills she has neglected to pay (thus leaving me out of pocket)

princeofpounds

Search this forum, landlordzone forums (probably best place) and google for the terms 'bailee' and 'bailor'. There's a whole technical corner of law for this sort of stuff which basically revolves around what is a reasonable attempt to contact people and how long to wait.

Jowo_2

You have to keep them for 3 months, it appears, but can charge them any storage or removal costs associated with them, I think.

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/uncollected_goods.htm

As for the outstanding arrears for bills, send them a 'letter before action' saying that you will take them to court if not paid within x days (keep a copy), then kick off a moneyclaim online claim (small claims court website). Have a look at the HM court website for advice on how to do this and whether its worth it.

Alternatively, put it down to experience - why wasn't the deposit sufficient to cover this?

beelzebub_2

she wasn't a legal tenant and there was no contract drawn up nor did she pay rent so i don't know if that site applies

mlz1413

do you have a forwarding address for the lodger?

If so write and say that you have found the belongings and that you would appreciate them collecting them asap and to contact you on x telephone to arrange when they can collect. If / when they phone say that £x is owed for x/y/z bills and discuss payment for them before arranging collection date.

beelzebub_2

i don't have a forwarding address but i am in touch

Jowo_2

beelzebub wrote: »

she wasn't a legal tenant and there was no contract drawn up nor did she pay rent so i don't know if that site applies

Though my link refers to tenants, the sublinks to a trading site make clear that it applies in commercial and consumer situations, so I believe it pretty much applies to any situation where there is uncollected goods and isn't just specific to Tenants.