Advice needed: Can Landlord take back garage?

pinkteapot

Agree with everyone else - he's trying it on! Do let us know how it turns out.

Just out of curiosity - what sort of contractor was with the landlord and what have they got to do with anything? Did the landlord want to do some work to the garage?

Also, to clarify, it doesn't actually matter whether you've got stuff in the garage right now or not. It's part of your tenancy and yours to use if and when you want.

Tunalc

pinkteapot said:

Agree with everyone else - he's trying it on! Do let us know how it turns out.

Just out of curiosity - what sort of contractor was with the landlord and what have they got to do with anything? Did the landlord want to do some work to the garage?

Also, to clarify, it doesn't actually matter whether you've got stuff in the garage right now or not. It's part of your tenancy and yours to use if and when you want.

Yes, I'll definitely keep you posted. 
Well, I say contractor, he's the LL's handyman and they were here to inspect a leak I've had for months that's done a number to the kitchen. They kept putting it off and now mould and warped cupboards have made them act. Anyway, the handyman seems to have this influence that even the letting agent can't figure out. The LL is elderly so I guess this handyman is his sounding board (confidant). Apparently, they want the garage to store the LL's stuff because his house is full and so is the garage and the LL has "a lot of stuff" according to the handyman. The LL has other properties in the area and mine is "the closest" so they want to store stuff here. The handyman is quite the bully type (in my opinion), he tells the LL to sit, he sits, tells the LL to get up and "let's go", LL stands up. What does the handyman have to do with it all? Goodness only knows.  

wilfred30

Maybe the handyman is his son?

Tunalc

Umm not likely and he just popped out in this past year. Never came across him over the last 10 years and have had a few repairs along the way. Different races, age gap a little too close but maybe, who knows. 

greatcrested

Have you sent your letters yet?

Tunalc

Not yet. I was thinking I should wait to hear from them. Should I go ahead and address to the LL via the agent?

nyermen

Anyone else smell a case of handyman has convinced landlord to do some work on his house (new windows?) and the stuff in the landlords house needs to be stored somewhere...
In any case, I'd argue that receiving keys to the garage makes it clear its part of the tenancy.

greatcrested

Tunalc said:

Not yet. I was thinking I should wait to hear from them. Should I go ahead and address to the LL via the agent?

Address to the LL at the address you have been given 'for serving notices'.

And yes. Put this on record.

saajan_12

Tunalc said:

"The Property includes all, or any part of the dwelling-houses, gardens, paths, driveways, fences, boundaries or other outbuildings which form part of the let."  

The tenancy agreement doesn't really help much.. that definition basically just says "whatever is part of the let, is part of the let.. and the rest of this agreement will refer to that space". 

So the question is what is part of the let.. it doesn't have to match the deeds, as you can rent part of a property (council tax and other issues are separate) but my starting assumption would be based on what is on the deed for that address and what was in the advert. I'd expect any deviations from that to be specifically discussed and noted, rather than the other way. That plus the history of you having exclusive use of the garage further demonstrates what was the 'meeting of the minds'. 

Stubod

..if you have the key to the garage I would assume it to be part of the rental property?