Previous tenant has left LOADS of stuff behind in our new flat

AlexandraAli

Hi, bit of a strange one but hopefully someone can give me some advice!

So we got the keys to our new rented flat in London yesterday and when we let ourselves in we were greeted with piles of items belonging to the previous tenant: books, duvets, lamps, ironing board, random pieces of wood... you name it, it's probably there. He has left plates and cutlery in there too. The place is a state and we cannot move our stuff in, there simply isn't room. Not to mention the fact that the place is supposed to have been professionally clean and there's no way it can have been around the total mess in there.

We had already booked a removal company to move our furniture and our belongings to the flat tomorrow. The estate agents are the property managers but are saying they cannot move the stuff because they can't get a hold of the landlord to get permission, but we are paying rent on this place and cannot live in it, which seems ridiculous. The place is clearly not fit for us to move in but the deadline for us to be out of our current property is in a few days time.

I have no idea what to do about it! If anyone can give me any advice, I'd be really grateful.
Thanks, Alex

xylophone

https://coodes.co.uk/blog/what-should-a-landlord-do-if-a-tenant-leaves-possessions-behind/

It appears to be the landlord's responsibility - if the EA acts for the landlord (seems immaterial whether or not they can contact him) then they need to clear/store until they can get instructions from the landlord (or possibly from the previous tenant)?

Robin9

If he/she left the flat in such a bad way don't be surprised if other things are in a mess - bills, utilities etc


Make sure you read the meters (and take a photo) and ring the existing suppliers then make arrangements to switch. Don't forget the meters at your old place.

diggingdude

I say go sit in the estate agents office until they sort it. keep a record of everything you might have to spend the money out on as well

mrschaucer

AlexandraAli wrote: »

The estate agents are the property managers

Then the estate agents are legally the property owner's "agents" and represent him in his absence, acting as he would. Don't let them fob you off.

Socajam

I would take photos of every room to protect yourself later on.
As someone said also take photos of both meters - gas and electric.
Take photos of the state of the fridge/freezer, cooker/oven, open the washing machine and take pictures, also the toilet and bathroom.
Give a copy of the photos to the estate agents and keep a copy for when you move out.
If and when the place is cleaned - take photos.

pinkshoes

Are you sure the previous tenant has actually moved out??

Did a correct eviction take place or did they hand their notice in?

Perhaps they have gone to prison...

HampshireH

How bizarre.

Why haven't they done a check out, inventory etc

Be careful its the 1st sign of a poor agent. Stands to reason you may receive the same service if you have any problems.

I don't know any agency who hand keys to the next tenant before at the very least checking a property has been moved out of

Marvel1

Take load sod photos and videos, so when it's time to leave and the landlord may claim from your depoist about it not being clean as it was first day.

AlexandraAli

Thank you everyone for your advice. I’ve taken a lot of photos and gathered all the tenants stuff into one room so it’s easy for them to remove. The agents have agreed to move the stuff *if* they can get hold of the landlord and he agrees to it. The ex tenant is apparently friends with the landlord, not sure why that would matter, but I guess the estate agents are unsure of what to do with the stuff since they didn’t have a contract with him.

The estate agents are also claiming that the house is ‘furnished’ and so we should have expected these items here since they were there when we viewed the property. We were told when viewing that the tenant hadn’t yet moved out and assumed he would be taking his rugs/clothes/plants/books etc with him, but I guess not. We were just expecting the furniture to stay, not the random junk littered around the house!

If we get any further updates, I’m sure I will be asking for advice again! But thank you all ��

HampshireH

If furnished you should have received an inventory of items alongside your inventory of the property

If you don't have either of these I would suggest getting it asao