Landlords furniture in our house

hyperkiller92

Hi there.

We have just rented a new house and we are having issues with some of the landlords furniture thats being stored in the house, When we viewed the house initially we asked what the items were and were told it was the landlords but to request for it to be removed with our application which we did. We were then told the landlord doesn't want to move the items in that room as he moved abroad.

Whilst signing the contract it stated nothing about the landlords furniture or items in that room and it was classed as an un-furnished property. When we had the inventory online it had photos of the items in that room and it said the following * Check image*

Now from what i have seen online and posts, we are legally entitled to use of our full property as the contract does not state any restrictions or limited access to this room, we only rented the place as we needed this room for an office for home working.

Can anyone tell me where we stand with this and what we could do going forward?
We know that just removing the items could lead us to some trouble.

Thanks!

Jack

elsien

When were you told the landlord didn’t want to move his stuff -before or after signing the contract? 

hyperkiller92

It was after we signed the contract. Then it was a few days after we had the inventory saying we couldn't even use the items in the room

Flugelhorn

the landlord is having a laugh, there is loads of it! One thing leaving there but then saying you can't use it means you have v little space

hyperkiller92

My thoughts exactly, We would of just put the chairs in the living room as we only have a small sofa and that would of given us access to use that room. Really not sure how to go about this legally, If i had my way it would be chopped up in bits and ready for the tip already!!

Flugelhorn

was there an agent involved? who manages the property?

hyperkiller92

Yeah so the letting agents manage the property as the landlord is abroad, Fraser Stretton manage everything.

Flugelhorn

what have they said about the stuff? 

hyperkiller92

All they have said so far is that the landlord doesn't want to remove it. We will be going into their office today and putting out point across that we want it removed or we will remove it.

Just need a little clarification on where we legally stand with that as i know we are entitled to use of our space as it isn't in the contract but i don't want to go in guns blazing if im getting it wrong

propertyrental

Firstly, put in writing a polite written request for the items to be removed, referring to the initial agreement (by landlord? agent?) you were given that the items would be removed. Also refer to he fact that you are renting the whole house with use of no rooms excluded.

If this fails, you could, of course, remove and store the items to free up the room. However you'd have to be able to replace them, in the same condition (less fair wear and tear), when the tenancy ends. Unfortunately depending on your circumstances you might have to pay for storage.

Or you could do as above but make a claim for the storage costs from the LL, based on the agreement originally given, but I foresee this leading to protracted discussions to say the least. Or a S21 Notice in due course.

The fact that the inventory does not list the items, but relies on photos, might lead to uncertainty as to what items are actually involved.eg if at tenancy end some items were 'missing', unless the photos were very clear about those missing items the landlord would have trouble claiming they were missing.......

As an aside, that does not look like a conservatory!

hyperkiller92

Thank you for your reply, We will speak to the estate agent today and put our point across as we don't want to end up with a S21 notice further down the line as we do like the property. The inventory doesn't state what items are there or the condition of them and from me seeing that firsthand it seemed very unusual as you'd expect anything listed to be detailed in condition and exactly what is there, The photos i think still could lead to the landlord claiming missing items but again it is not clear at all.

Yeah its strange they listed it as such as it is part of the house's extension!  Just to add this same landlord has built a non-working sauna into the back of the house too!