Landlord Appliances Question!

Lilly_RW

Hi All,

We left a few appliances as a ‘goodwill gesture’ expecting our tenant to be with us for the long-haul (they said they wanted to be there for a while and expressed concerns about us turfing them out early.)

After 6 months they have given notice of leaving. This is fine but we are concerned that they may now take the ‘goodwill’ items (fridge-freezer/washing machine/Dishwasher) with them.

I’m assuming that because they were left as ‘goodwill’ and nothing was specified in the contract about them only being entitled to them if they were there for a certain period of time, means that really we don’t have a valid argument for them not to take the appliances with them?

Can anyone offer any advice with this? Thanks!

benjus

Did you prepare a check-in inventory? Are the appliances listed on it?

Pixie5740

Did you rent the property out as unfurnished but with white goods? The flat I currently rent is unfurnished but came with a fridge and a washing machine. When I move out I won't be taking these items with me and I wouldn't expect to.

The fridge and washing machine are listed on the inventory.

jjlandlord

You can't have it both ways.

What does "left as a goodwill gesture" even mean?

Either you provided appliances or you gave them.
Which is it?

As benjus asked, are the appliances listed in the inventory?

G_M

If you only signed a 6 month tenancy neither side had any security, or obligation, beyond that.

I would hope that people would not steal, hence if you left things in the property on the mutual understanding that they belonged to the property rather than being gifts to the tenants, then the tenants would leave them there.

However, if you did not include them on the inventory, there is probobly little you can do if they are removed!

dominoman

I don't think you'd have any comeback if they did take them and they were not on the inventory.

On the other hand, if they are appliance that you left there in the flat for their use I would be really surprised if the tenants felt it was correct to take them. They probably have not even considered doing that so to mention it could insult them.

If you want to bring it up you could simply ask them politely whether the appliances you left are still working well as you'd like to inform the next tenants. That will imply they should be left behind without saying it directly.

PasturesNew

If I'd moved in and found them there I'd not think they were "freebies for me", I'd clean them and leave them in exactly the same condition as when I moved in. Even if I knew that they weren't on the inventory and you could never prove they weren't mine ..... I'd still never steal or assume they were some "bizarre LL gift"

Lilly_RW

Thanks for all the responses! (Although some people could stand to be a *little* less blunt/rude...)

The items are listed on the inventory. Pixie has it on the head, unfurnished but with a few white goods. Awesome, that's all we needed to know Thanks again!

Mr_Pitiful

Just because something is not on an inventory doesn't mean the tenant has a right to take it. I'm sure most inventories don't include the copper piping and roof tiles, but it would be theft if they were removed. What was the wording of this goodwill agreement?

AdrianC

Lilly_RW wrote: »

The items are listed on the inventory.

That's all you need to know. If they're not there/working/in good condition when the check-out's done, then there's a deposit hit available to you.

ConfusedofYorkshire

As they are on the inventory I really don't think you have anything to worry about. Our landlord refused to do an inventory... his washing machine isn't that tempting though:)