Estate agents 'demanding' I leave bedroom furniture

jimjames

pinkshoes wrote: »

What an arrogant EA, who are trying to make it seem like THEY are doing YOU a favour, and not the other way round!

I'd write back, stating that the X and Y are family heirlooms, so are not for sale under any circumstances, and that if they REALLY want the bed, then it's theirs for £3500.

Is there any price you'd sell the furniture? Like £20k????

Perhaps you could suggest how much the furniture is worth, and suggest they buy some very similar to please their buyer?

If there is anyway that you'd consider selling then this could be an opportunity to get your deposit for your own place but if family heirlooms that sounds unlikely.

Werdnal

Do you know your landlord? I would write to the landlord, expressing your upset over this situation, and stating that the EA are harrassing you. State that you have been very accommodating in accepting viewings, and polite and helpful to those prospective buyers that you have met, but you will not stand for the EA pestering you to sell your belongings just to secure a sale of the property. State that the EA is being very underhand and despite writing to them, they are still pressuring you to sell your furniture, which has great sentimental value, and if they do not stop harrassing you, you may have to rethink your acceptance of any future viewings.

Keep a copy with proof of posting.

It possible the LL is even unware that the EA are doing this behind his back. Whilst I understand your concern over the deposit, the LL will have to fight you through the protection service arbitration if he wants to make any deductions. You may obviously prompt an S21, but if the house is on the market, that is a likely outcome anyway.

Mojisola

Going4TheDream wrote: »

If you are renting the flat I find it very strange the that EA is even dealing with you over the sale in any way.

A firm but polite letter explaining you are the tenant, that the furniture is yours and not for sale, and that in future all further contact needs to be made with the actual vendor over any contractual expectations of he purchaser.

I would also copy the LL so that everyone is crystal clear

I would do this so that, if the LL tried anything nasty with your deposit or reference, you have some evidence of why he has done so.

I would be tempted to put the furniture in store even if it meant sleeping on a mattress and hanging my clothes on an open rail.

marliepanda

Thank you everyone. I will write again stating that they are not for sale, and also to reaffirm that I am the tenant, not owner.

I do not know my LL and the address I have for them is via the LA, but hopefully another 'go away!' letter will suffice.

franklee

Check directly with the deposit scheme to make sure your deposit is still there. Check that you were given the correct prescribed information, it's got to contain all the necessary information.

Check yo see if you've ever been served a S21, sometimes they are served early on in the fixed term.

Remember that you do not need to move out when the S21 asks but any delay may affect your reference.

A S21 isn't valid if the deposit isn't protected properly.

If you think they will enter against your wishes change the locks keeping the old locks to but back before you leave.

Make sure you have your landlord's address. If not write to the agent and ask for it.

Any more messing about write to your landlord.

You've done the right thing communicating about the furniture in writing. That way if the agent is awkward later on you can point to evidence why.

Back up everything you say to LL or agent with confirmation in writing.

I'd be surprised if this sale goes through as if you haven't been given notice they will have to wait till you leave before they exchange contracts if they are getting a residential mortgage. I suspect that news hasn't been broken to them yet.

Also I agree with above posters, don't expect joined up agenting from the lettings and sales arm!

marliepanda

jimjames wrote: »

If there is anyway that you'd consider selling then this could be an opportunity to get your deposit for your own place but if family heirlooms that sounds unlikely.

Honestly, IF they were to offer me 20grand for them, that would be a LONG hard think. Very long hard think.

However, considering they are currently offering £500 I dont see that happening :P I couldnt even replace them with Ikea ones for that price!

marliepanda

Never ever been served a s21. Know that for sure as I've had very little contact with the LA over my tenancy, and there isn't one with my initial agreement (which I believe wouldnt work anyway)

I also will stop assuming that one leg knows what the other one is doing :P

franklee

marliepanda wrote: »

I do not know my LL and the address I have for them is via the LA, but hopefully another 'go away!' letter will suffice.

It's always useful to have so I suggest you write to the agent and ask for it.

Section 1 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985:

1 Disclosure of landlord’s identity.

(1) If the tenant of premises occupied as a dwelling makes a written request for the landlord’s name and address to—

(a) any person who demands, or the last person who received, rent payable under the tenancy, or

(b) any other person for the time being acting as agent for the landlord, in relation to the tenancy,

that person shall supply the tenant with a written statement of the landlord’s name and address within the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which he receives the request.

Address is defined by the 1985 Act as a person’s place of abode or place of business or, in the case of a company, it's registered office. For this the agent's address will not do.

RobertoMoir

marliepanda wrote: »

Yes I am the tenant, the flat is 'unfurnished' and just came with built in appliances and a washer dryer. There were 2 mirror cabinets on the bathroom walls but I have replaced those with nicer wooden ones (the old ones are in the loft) Those were the only furniture left.

The EA is aware as they have offered me money for it, but perhaps were not aware whilst telling these people about the property. The LA and EA are the same company, maybe I am expecting too much communication with them.

The question is, where is the landlord in all this? You need to tell them that their agents are messing you around and that it is not good enough.

I think I may ignore the email and respond with a 'final' letter saying no further discussion is to be had about the furniture.

The bed, I could be persuaded on for a big sum, as a replacement could be found from a bespoke bed shop (which I couldnt afford so got a similar one) but you're talking £3000! But the others are irreplaceable.

I'd agree with sending them (and by 'them', I mean the Landlord/person selling the house, with a copy to the EA/LA) a final letter, notifying them that as you're not the seller, none of your furniture can be considered as part of the house sale and that you'll ignore any further correspondence on the subject. It is the LL who is your target here - not because they're doing anything wrong themselves but because they're responsible for the actions of their agents, and right now those agents are harassing you.

If you do anything else, they will see you as simply trying to play 'hard ball' to negotiate a good price for selling the furniture. Don't get involved. It's not your problem. All you need to know is the date you'll be moving out by.

chrissie57

marliepanda wrote: »

I responded via letter stating that they could have the bathroom cabinet for free but the other items were not available. I recieved a letter on Friday stating they understood my attachment to the items but the buyers will not proceed without. I have not responded to that yet. Today I have an email from the EA (on a Sunday, they must be keen!) saying that 'an offer of asking price is a great opportunity',, and insinuated I was being obstructive because I was hoping for a landlord to buy it so I could stay.

Actually, if the highlighted bit is accurate they do know OP is a tenant.