Landlord wants us to replace a sofa after we settled and moved out 7 months ago!

pennypot1

I am so grateful and thankful to everyone who responded. Thank you all for your advice and reassurances. I feel a lot better today having felt stressed about it.

As much as I would like to ignore it all she is a distant friend of the mother in law. we also live in a small town and have only bought a house less than 5 minute walk away! So I have responded politely and denied any damage to her sofa. We shall see how this unfolds.. Also, should I be concerned at all that she may POSSIBLY find this thread and discussion for any legal reasons?

pennypot1

Also to answer everyone's helpful questions.

1. The condition on the sofa on the inventory was in good condition.
2. Yes we signed the checkin inventory.
3. Yes there was a check-out inventory which we had done with her friends, it states it was in good condition. Signed by them.
4. The check-out was done the day I handed back the keys (7 months ago).
5. I carried out together with, saw and signed the check-out inventory but don't think I ever received a copy though I do have their contact details.
6. I do not have check out photos but I do have dated photos throughout our rental period of the house which clearly show how well I kept it?
7. Agreed, could have been a duff sofa from the start but when we left it, it was totally useable and fine.
8. Time limit and the possibility of court - IF it ever gets to that point.. which I'm really hoping it doesn't I feel more than prepared with everyone's suggestions and evidence and her lack of proof.
9. If this ever escalates to harassment then it's good to know there's such things as restraining orders.. which is absolutely awful and hopefully unnecessary.
10. She did not act earlier as she lives and works abroad and seems like she was waiting to hear back from her insurance company too.

marksoton

pennypot1 wrote: »

She did not act earlier as she lives and works abroad and seems like she was waiting to hear back from her insurance company too.

Well there you go then. Ignore.

G_M

pennypot1 wrote: »

....

As much as I would like to ignore it all she is a distant friend of the mother in law. we also live in a small town and have only bought a house less than 5 minute walk away! So I have responded politely and denied any damage to her sofa. We shall see how this unfolds.. Also, should I be concerned at all that she may POSSIBLY find this thread and discussion for any legal reasons?

Oh dear oh dear. Letting to friends/family! Always complicates things as the family relationship impacts on the business relationship.

But you've done the right thing - stick to your 1 line denial and don't get drawn into discussion or the blame game.

Well, if she sees this thread:
a) would she know it's you?
b) could she prove it's you?
c) so what if she can - you've not labelled her or anything?
d) she might learn something useful!

3. Yes there was a check-out inventory which we had done with her friends, it states it was in good condition. Signed by them.

That's prety conclusive then. Pity you don't have a copy - could you get one if it came to it? But even if not, you'd reference it in your defence and she'd have to either
e) produce it and contradict her claim or
f) say she does not have a check-out report, and therefore have no relevantly-dated evidence to give the court for her claim

edit oops:

you've not libelled her or anything?

pennypot1

G_M wrote: »

Well, if she sees this thread:
a) would she know it's you?
b) could she prove it's you?
c) so what if she can - you've not labelled her or anything?
d) she might learn something useful!

That's prety conclusive then. Pity you don't have a copy - could you get one if it came to it? But even if not, you'd reference it in your defence and she'd have to either
e) produce it and contradict her claim or
f) say she does not have a check-out report, and therefore have no relevantly-dated evidence to give the court for her claim

I was beginning to worry that I never received a copy of the checkout itinerary but you've made a very good point there. With the details I've mentioned without naming her it's pretty obvious that it's us but you're right. I haven't named and am only seeking advice.

Thank you again

moneyistooshorttomention

I do know what you mean by the "small town" bit - having pretty recently moved to one myself and found that negative information can be fed into the local grapevine just because of having acted in the normal logical/rational way one is used to acting in a city. Anyone logical/rational will form their own opinion for themselves anyway- and why be concerned about anyone that is biased by someone being a "local" of that "small town".

If it happens...it happens <shrugs>. She is, after all, only a "distant friend" of MIL and MIL can feed correct information back into the local grapevine to tell the facts as they actually are.

Sounds like you have all the info. you need to me. I'd go with G_M's post he's just made.

G_M

pennypot1 wrote: »

.....I never received a copy of the checkout itinerary

Start in the hallway, and after admiring the wall mirror and elephant's foot umbrella stand move on to the front room. The curtains are a particularly attractive mauve, though in poor condition. Pasing on into the kitch you can admire the multitude of electric gadgets - the washing machine, the refridgerator, and (most unusually for a property of this era) the Tassimo coffee machine........

pennypot1

You're right moneyistoo.. we can only tell the truth and have many close friends in this town but hopefully it won't go that way.

G_M it sounds like you're describing Liberace's house.. if he had lived in a small 2 bed terraced.

Davesnave

G_M wrote: »

Start in the hallway, and after admiring the wall mirror and elephant's foot umbrella stand move on to the front room. The curtains are a particularly attractive mauve, though in poor condition. Pasing on into the kitch you can admire the multitude of electric gadgets - the washing machine, the refridgerator, and (most unusually for a property of this era) the Tassimo coffee machine........

Oh, you are awful! :rotfl:

Pete9501

So who has been living in the property for the last 7 months? someone who took a 6 months tenancy and then legged it so she is looking to land the cost on you perhaps. After your letter don't do any more and don't worry about it.

Pete