Landlord trying to remove external fixings from repossessed house

desperatedan123

Hello.

We are tenants in a repossessed property. The courts granted possession to the lender in October.
We applied to extend and was granted until 29th January. It's all sorted. We have somewhere to go.

Today the landlord (who we don't have a good relationship with for the above reason) came and started measuring the metal gates and attempting to take down external lighting fixtures etc. The large metal gates provide security to the rear of the property.

I stopped him on the basis a qualified electrician should be doing work like that. It's dangerous for him and more importantly my family.
I also pointed out that he doesn't own the property anymore and he can't just come round and start taking stuff without permission. (At the very least under my rights as a tenant)

He said he will be back in the morning with tools and a van to remove everything.


We are leaving the property on the 29th AM. eviction team are coming at midday.


What should I do if the landlord comes to remove stuff?



Thanks

marcarm

Personally, and I'm not sure of the legality etc, but I would call the police the same as if it was someone random doing that.

The fact he is the ex-owner is neither here or there, it's not his property anymore.

Maybe a quick call to 101 to let them know of his intentions, just so they have it on record, would do no harm.

Bossypants

You can inform the police and the lender, though personally, with three days to go, I would file it under 'no longer my problem' and focus on packing.

eddddy

If the property has been repossessed, it belongs to the bank. So you should tell them that their fittings are being stolen.

The bank can then decide what action they want to take - which might include reporting it to the police.

(Or I guess they might ask you to call the police if you see further incidents.)

tacpot12

Call the police to report a theft in progress. The landlord can be arrested for "going equipped" if he brings tools to the property. Take photos of any items the landlord has shown an interest in.

Don't try to arrest the landlord, even though you can if the police won't attend. The landlord is likely to resist arrest and you don't want to get into a legal argument about whether you have used reasonable force to detain him.

Marvel1

Phone the police about theft and if you can video him stealing (if safe to do so) - nice video evidence/proof.