Tenant Flat Fire - Next stage - how to sell?

silvercar

Can't believe that photo.

Alleycat, I would guess that people who set fire to homes don't think logically about securing their personal possessions first!

cgw, I would leave it to the insurance to sort out, tell the refuge to deal with your insurers; leave it for the loss adjuster to tell her what isn't covered. I would be inclined to tell the refuge that you can't deal with them anymore, the tenancy has ended and the property is being sorted by the insurance. Leave then tell the tenant that it is for her to sort out her own insurance claim and that she needs to sort out her belongings.

Interesting point that the tenant needs to pay for her property to be cleared. Its well known that tenants need to arrange their own contents insurance but I never thought of the obligation to clear the property.

I wonder if technically they are still liale to pay rent as they haven't given you back vacant possession? They would certainly be liable for the cost of clearing out their possessions, something you could pursue in the small claims court if they didn't pay.

[Deleted User]

Alleycat, I would guess that people who set fire to homes don't think logically about securing their personal possessions first!

Fires do weird things, Silvercar. Some things in cupboards seem ok.

But some stuff has gone - whether it was taken before or after the fire - I can't tell. I wonder if some stuff was removed before the fire.

It was so dark because the 4month old double glazed windows are cracked scorched and some boarded up. But some wooden furniture untuoched especially in living room. 3 chests of drawers. One drawer was open with one or two items showing.

Evry other drawer in that and the other chests was empty.

No personal items around except the unmelted huge stuffed toys.

In the living room, rolls of black bags on bed.

They - or a least the raving daughter who isn't locked up - must have come during the week and collected stuff. It must have been them who left front door open

silvercar

Heat rises hence the ceilings look worse than the fireplace. Draughts, made worse by the broken windows will push the flames around creating hot spots.

Remember that the loss adjuster is acting for the insurance company not you. All very well him saying that you are not covered for disposing of the tenants possessions, try telling him that they are nothing to do with you and a matter he can take up with the tenant if he wishes. You have no interest in the tenants belongings and don't care what he does or doesn't do with them, you are not prepared to take on someone elses responsibilities. Why should you be burdened with this? Let him take on the tenant if he wants.

Do like the thought of the loss adjustor telling a women's refuge that the tenant needs to get a man with a van.

[Deleted User]

Yes - 'a man with a van'.

Brilliant.

Alleycat

cgw - The refuge worker will basically be advocating for their client and will most probably be treating her as a victim of the fire as well.

Silvercar - I was thinking originally that the fire was planned and therefore salvaging goods prior to starting it would have been part of that plan to minimise their losses.

reformedEffortMaker_2

cgw-I am still reading this and can't believe it. Please please please give the tenant/ex-tenant a deadline to collect their rubbish, by their own means, with no assistance from you whatsoever. If they dont, then they can bloody well £*ck off.

Funny how the tenant was able to contact you directly when she wanted help to get a council property, but now she is in a refuge, she wants everything done via her 'rep'!. She is in temporary housing using a bed that should be there to help women flee abusive partners or young mums trying to find their feet.

Baring in mind she breached the tenancy agreement by having her daughter living with her, and she was also responsible for bringing the sorry excuse of a human into the world in the first place. I say you owe her nothing and as a victim of a serious offence, you would not be criticised for your actions.

She can put her requests for personal belongings/deposit/court order etc in a pipe and smoke it (excuse the pun)

[Deleted User]

I know that my ex tenant is a victim, but I feel that I should point out to the refuge that I am a woman and a victim too.

Incidentally, I disovered that one of the other tenants is too afraid to return to his flat because he found a not on his door saying 'We know it was you started the fire - your f*cked'.

I think the ex tenant/and or her ranting daughter must have left it there as they were also accusing me.

I found papers in my flat referring to an assau;lt case that the incarcerated daughter had committed. It would seem an unwise move for my ex tenant to move the daughter in to my flat and to give her a duplicate key.

I know that there are a lot of damaged people out there and I feel for people who are unable to make sense of their lives.

It seems a shame that the daughter should be at this point at such a young age.

Loretta

cgw wrote: »

I know that my ex tenant is a victim, but I feel that I should point out to the refuge that I am a woman and a victim too.

Incidentally, I disovered that one of the other tenants is too afraid to return to his flat because he found a not on his door saying 'We know it was you started the fire - your f*cked'.

I think the ex tenant/and or her ranting daughter must have left it there as they were also accusing me.

I found papers in my flat referring to an assau;lt case that the incarcerated daughter had committed. It would seem an unwise move for my ex tenant to move the daughter in to my flat and to give her a duplicate key.

I know that there are a lot of damaged people out there and I feel for people who are unable to make sense of their lives.

It seems a shame that the daughter should be at this point at such a young age.

I told you before, stop worrying about other people you have enough to deal with, concentrate on yourself.

Don't even think of her belongings, after a fire they are no good anyway.

The adjuster can stop being picky too, there is going to be several skip fulls of rubbish when the refurbishment starts, a few bits and pieces of the tenant's burnt stuff won't cost any more to chuck in the skip than the ceilings, floors etc.

It is funny how these damaged and troubled people always manage to find someone to do everything for them, how much help are your getting, except from your 'family of helpers' on here of course!

reformedEffortMaker_2

cgw wrote: »

I know that there are a lot of damaged people out there and I feel for people who are unable to make sense of their lives.

It seems a shame that the daughter should be at this point at such a young age.

All true cgw, but you are not at work dealing with this.
You are a landlord, effectively running a business. It's not your problem.

When you get a moment, I would seriously consider
1) Do you really want to continue letting out a property 2 1/2 hours drive away?
2) Do you really want to continue renting out to DSS type tenants?

[Deleted User]

Thanks reformed.

The loss adjuster has urged to 'rep' to get her client to remove everything at her own expense.

I realise now that they HAVE been into the property during the week and taken clothing, etc. Leaving me with sofas, beds, bedding, furniture - at least 2 skip loads!

It was someone who she had living there and to whom she gave a key - in direct breach of the tenancy!

I'm not being vindictive, but thete is a cost to all this and I think I should contact the refuge and tell them that their client must begin to take responsibility for at least the stuff she has left behind. The flat was let unfurnished. Does that make sense?