Tenants storing hazardous chemicals in the garden

evi3000

I have new tenants. I have serious concerns about them and need to know if I can terminate their contract early. As I am abroad I pay a (useless, I now realise) company to manage the property for me.
1. the rent has been paid late both months since they moved in (minor issue but annoying nevertheless)
2. They put furniture out in the garden. I don't know how long it was out there but it is now indoors. Whether it has been ruined or not I do not know.
3. They are storing a large quantity (5 or so x 25 litres) of hydrochloric acid in the garden next to the house.
4. there is some concerns from the neighbours that they have more people living there than stated on the tenancy agreement.


We can prove the chemicals in the garden and the furniture in the garden as well.


Do we have grounds to end the tenancy agreement early? They are 2 months into a 12 month contract.


Any help would be very much appreciated.

G_M

1) minor issue - nothing to do
2) till the tenancy ends not much you can do. I assume you have a comprehensive inventory signed by the tenant(s)? If so, any damage can be deducted from deposit (there IS a deposit & it IS registered yes?)
3) I would be very concerned about this. I suggest a discussion with Environmemtal Health
4) Hard to prove & hard to do anything about.

Does your contract with the agent include inspections? How often? An inspection would be useful.

A (friendly but firm) letter about 3 & 4 might help (though equally it might not).

As it's a 12 month tenancy, consider whether you want to evict and start again with new tenants at that point - if so, make sure you (and your agent!) know how, are prepared, and have done everything you need to (eg re deposit registration)

Is there a Break Clause in the tenancy agreement? If so, what is the wording?


As for early termination, the only options are S8 grounds 14

guilty of conduct causing or likely to cause a nuisance or annoyance to a person residing, visiting or otherwise engaging in a lawful activity in the locality,

- difficult to satisfy a court

or S8 ground 15

The condition of any furniture provided for use under the tenancy has, in the opinion of the court, deteriorated owing to ill-treatment by the tenant

likewise.

[FONT=&quot]Schedule 2[/FONT][FONT=&quot] (17 S8 Grounds a LL can use)[/FONT]

evi3000

No break clause. I didn't think to put one in and the agents didn't suggest it but why would they? Easy money for them.
This is a major letting agents across the UK. I won't name them for now so the deposit has been registered.
Inspections should be every 6 months but I was offered every 3 months to stop me changing agents.
I have learnt my lesson and will most certainly give them their marching orders ASAP (the tenants and the agency).
Can I not evict them for storing dangerous chemicals? I will contact environmental health this week.
Thanks for your help.

jjlandlord

To be fair with the agent there is no point in a break clause.
If you weren't sure about a 12 month tenancy you could just have offered a 6 month tenancy. Perhaps next time, especially after this.

kinger101

What are the purposes of the HCl? Illegal drug manufacture? Or is it being used in the course of some business? If it's the latter, then perhaps this should be raised with the HSE. I can't think of any domestic uses for these quantities of acid.

PasturesNew

You could also try an anonymous grass up to the police as a "suspected drugs factory" ... if you get desperate .... not many legit reasons to empty a house of furniture and keep those chemicals .... http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Weston-super-Mare-s-Breaking-Bad-crystal-meth-lab/story-20016657-detail/story.html

jjlandlord

kinger101 wrote: »

I can't think of any domestic uses for these quantities of acid.

Except that, thinking about it, the neighbours see many people arriving at the property, but very few leaving...

evi3000

jjlandlord wrote: »

Except that, thinking about it, the neighbours see many people arriving at the property, but very few leaving...

That made me laugh.

kinger101

jjlandlord wrote: »

Except that, thinking about it, the neighbours see many people arriving at the property, but very few leaving...

Perhaps OP can provide the address. The service they provide may come in useful one day.

evi3000

PasturesNew wrote: »

You could also try an anonymous grass up to the police as a "suspected drugs factory" ... if you get desperate .... not many legit reasons to empty a house of furniture and keep those chemicals .... http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Weston-super-Mare-s-Breaking-Bad-crystal-meth-lab/story-20016657-detail/story.html

Surely, you'd keep your chemicals hidden?
Maybe as a last resort?!:rotfl:

kinger101

evi3000 wrote: »

Surely, you'd keep your chemicals hidden?
Maybe as a last resort?!:rotfl:

I know someone who lived next door to a gang of Vietnamese dope growers. The police did nothing despite the reports of strong smells and interference with the electrical supply. I've also lived opposite a crack house in London that the police were more than aware of but just ignored. You don't need to hide what you're doing with that level of apathy.