Landlord wants to take down shed

Pianoman1

My first and foremost priority in this is to prevent this shed from being dismantled and taken away tomorrow, when we are about to go on holiday and have nowhere else to store the mower and bikes. 

Please can I have some advice how i can prevent this from happening?

TripleH

I suspect the Landlord is worried that if the shed collapses and lands on you or a member of your family or damages your property that you'll sue him for not taking action when it sounds like the shed is in a poor state.

His request sounds more like you wavering your right to sue him in worst case. But that is how I read things.

Pianoman1

AdrianC said:

Pianoman1 said:

Moved into a rental 9 months ago. After moving in, noticed the shed roof had a large hole on one side. Landlord had left equipment to repair and said I could do it myself or they can remove the shed.
...
I let it go with the view of repairing further down the line
...
I would like to know:

1) If I have 3 lawns to maintain, is it reasonable for the landlord to provide something suitable to store a mower?

There is absolutely no requirement for them to do so.

2) Is it within their rights to remove the shed at 24 hours notice, given I have items inside?

Sounds more like nine months notice to me.

You were told when you moved in that you could repair it, or it would be removed.
You have not (correct me if I'm wrong) repaired it.

They didn't give me any notice that they were removing it. I asked them to repair it 9 months ago, they gave me the options of either myself repairing it or they said they COULD remove it. The conversation did not go any further and nobody agreed to anything. I don't think it's reasonable to suddenly say "it's going tomorrow".

Pianoman1

TripleH said:

I suspect the Landlord is worried that if the shed collapses and lands on you or a member of your family or damages your property that you'll sue him for not taking action when it sounds like the shed is in a poor state.

His request sounds more like you wavering your right to sue him in worst case. But that is how I read things.

That seems plausible and given i am asking for the shed to remain, i am ok to be responsible for this.

TripleH

I think he is wanting it in writing though rather than a verbal agreement

Just in case 4 months down the line you do try and sue. It might be worth emailing him and asking for clarification.

Pianoman1

TripleH said:

I think he is wanting it in writing though rather than a verbal agreement

Just in case 4 months down the line you do try and sue. It might be worth emailing him and asking for clarification.

Yes, and i am fine with that. What i don't want is to have to replace the shed and give them a new shed. This landlord has done very little for the property and i don't feel i owe them a brand new shed.

Norman_Castle

Pianoman1 said:

Landlord just emailed saying that someone is coming to remove the shed tomorrow. I asked if we can keep it because we have a lawnmower and bikes inside. Landlord has responded asking that I make a statement accepting liability for all future maintenance and repairs.

I am happy to upkeep/maintain, but I don't want to end up having to replace or give the landlord a new shed, as it's in poor condition (noted on signed inventory) and they were already willing to write it off.

I'd suspect the landlord doesn't want you contacting them expecting them to repair the shed or it collapsing or leaking and you claiming from them. He's probably happy to scrap the shed either now or when you leave but you need to take responsibility for maintaining it during your tenancy.

If he's already supplies the materials he's probably miffed you've failed to maintain it. Do the work, he'll leave it alone.

"Please can I have some advice how i can prevent this from happening?"

Agree to do the work within an agreed timescale.

Anyanka1

You know what works really well for a shed roof, better than that felt stuff they provide when you buy one?  Vinyl flooring.  You can find off-cuts very cheaply if you look as these tend to be the bits too small to be of any use to most people and therefore difficult to sell.  If you are not afraid to climb a ladder and have a hammer and some nails (and, probably, some decent glue) you can replace a shed roof in an hour or two.  If it needs some timbers replacing, you could do that first.  If you cannot do these things, you could try social media/asking around for a handyman.

Failing that, it seems you can either ask a neighbour who does have a viable shed if they could store your mower temporarily, do as suggested and buy one of those oversized plastic boxes which masquerade as sheds, find somewhere indoors to put the mower or allow the shed to be dismantled around it.  No doubt there will be mower suggestions...

wesleyad

Pianoman1 said:

TripleH said:

I think he is wanting it in writing though rather than a verbal agreement

Just in case 4 months down the line you do try and sue. It might be worth emailing him and asking for clarification.

Yes, and i am fine with that. What i don't want is to have to replace the shed and give them a new shed. This landlord has done very little for the property and i don't feel i owe them a brand new shed.

I'd make sure you just have in writing that you are fine to continue with the shed at your own risk. Make it clear the LL has no obligation to repair any more (that's probably what he wants).

But at the same time make it clear that at end of tenancy you are not obliged to provide him with a new shed (this wouldn't stand up in court anyway as he would be claiming betterment, but its easier if its in writing). 

I often will have waivers signed for things left in the house if a tenant wants them. Most recently we had a dishwasher I was going to remove at beginning of tenancy, tenant asked to keep it, and I had no problem with that we just signed a waiver saying I had no responsibility for maintenance and tenant had no responsibility to leave me with a dishwasher when tenancy ends.

Bendy_House

Pianoman1 said:

Landlord just emailed saying that someone is coming to remove the shed tomorrow. I asked if we can keep it because we have a lawnmower and bikes inside. Landlord has responded asking that I make a statement accepting liability for all future maintenance and repairs.

I am happy to upkeep/maintain, but I don't want to end up having to replace or give the landlord a new shed, as it's in poor condition (noted on signed inventory) and they were already willing to write it off.

It doesn't sound as though the landlord is trying to pull a fast one, but only covering his back; he doesn't want further expenditure over this shed, any claims, or any safety risk for which he might be liable. So I suggest that all you should need to do is agree with his statement but only applying to this current shed; you will take responsibility for keeping it in a safe condition until the end of its natural life.

Something like "Thank you for allowing me the option of taking responsibility for the shed. I agree I will maintain it in a safe and functioning condition until the end of its natural life, at which point I will also take responsibility for its safe disposal."  ?