Landlord refusing access

ficklefairy

Hello,
My friend was given notice to move out of lodgings by 05/01/24 (short notice, doesn't match the agreement but accepted this as didn't want to cause any issues). Friend went to work and has now been advised that lock on the room (separate access to main house) has been changed. This means they cannot access the room to collect their belongings. We have arranged a hotel for tonight so they have somewhere to stay. I had agreed to drive over to help move everything the morning of 05/01/24 as per landlords original request. Where do we stand on getting the belongings back as the Landlord will not answer any communications. 

Thank you for any help in this matter.

HampshireH

They said by the 5th I would expect to be out by midnight on the 4th and ready to hand those keys back first thing on the 5th (or before).

a normal notice would specify date and time on that date for clarity

Your friend needs to contact them to make arrangements to collect their belongings. It sounds like communication hasn't been great and clarification wasn't sought.

If they don't answer then turn up as planned and knock on the door but be sensible and calm then go from there if access is refused.

_Penny_Dreadful

ficklefairy said:

Hello,
My friend was given notice to move out of lodgings by 05/01/24 (short notice, doesn't match the agreement but accepted this as didn't want to cause any issues). Friend went to work and has now been advised that lock on the room (separate access to main house) has been changed. This means they cannot access the room to collect their belongings. We have arranged a hotel for tonight so they have somewhere to stay. I had agreed to drive over to help move everything the morning of 05/01/24 as per landlords original request. Where do we stand on getting the belongings back as the Landlord will not answer any communications. 

Thank you for any help in this matter.

Which part of the UK? Scotland, England, Wales or Northern Ireland? 

What is the set up with the property? Does the landlord live in the main house and your friend was renting a granny annexe? 

km1500

a 'lodger' would not normally have a lock on their door - a tenant would

theartfullodger

report theft to police. In writing/email.

Talk to local council HMO department.

If keen grass him up to HMRC 

Grumpy_chap

This is quite odd.
The lodger has vacated the property but left their belongings one extra day.
That leaves the LL with effort and cost required to dispose of the belongings.
Pragmatically, you'd think the LL would be appreciative that the lodger came back to collect the stuff and save the LL a job.

propertyrental

more to this story than we know.....

sheramber

I think friend assumed that’ by 5/1 ‘ meant he could move out on 5/1.

FreeBear

Grumpy_chap said: That leaves the LL with effort and cost required to dispose of the belongings.

No. The LL needs to take reasonable steps to allow for the lodger to collect the belongings. The stuff could be shoved in to boxes/bags and stored in a shed or somewhere else that is dry. What he can not do, is stick everything straight in a bin as soon as the locks are changed.

_Penny_Dreadful

km1500 said:

a 'lodger' would not normally have a lock on their door - a tenant would

Not necessarily. The OP’s friend could be an occupier with basic protection rather than an excluded occupier. Both count as lodgers as far as the rent a room scheme goes. 

steve866

 Could all of the OPs events have take place on 4th Jan based on posting time?