Landlord not providing all furniture

jellycat2712

Moved into a rented property several weeks ago. When I viewed the property, I was informed that a sofa would be provided (although never got this in writing). When i moved in, an inventory was not provided due to ‘landlord preference’ and when i arrived at the property there was no sofa. I immediately called and the letting agent said one would be delivered ‘next week’ (this was, as stated, several weeks ago).

I have emailed multiple times since moving in, and the letting agents are claiming that the couriers have not provided a delivery date despite them chasing. I have seen no evidence of this so have kept emailing asking for updates, as there is minimal other furniture provided in the property and I currently have nowhere to sit down. How long is reasonable for there not to be a sofa provided, and what next steps can I take if there is still no sofa within a reasonable time frame?

BarelySentientAI

jellycat2712 said:

How long is reasonable for there not to be a sofa provided, and what next steps can I take if there is still no sofa within a reasonable time frame?

It might sound flippant, but forever?  You could buy (or freecycle etc) a chair?

Not ideal, but as far as I see you don't really have anything that forces the landlord to provide one.  I'd treat a sofa suddenly arriving as a bonus.

Bookworm105

you have no evidence to support your claim that you are "entitled" to a sofa under the terms of the tenancy

jellycat2712

Bookworm105 said:

you have no evidence to support your claim that you are "entitled" to a sofa under the terms of the tenancy

Landlord has confirmed in writing that a sofa should have been provided and that one will be provided with a supposed timescale, but this has already passed, hence my question.

Albermarle

jellycat2712 said:

Bookworm105 said:

you have no evidence to support your claim that you are "entitled" to a sofa under the terms of the tenancy

Landlord has confirmed in writing that a sofa should have been provided and that one will be provided with a supposed timescale, but this has already passed, hence my question.

Furniture retailers often have supply chain/delivery issues. Might just be as simple as that.

When i moved in, an inventory was not provided due to ‘landlord preference’

I would make your own inventory and send it off to the agents/landlord. Plus of course take loads of photos. 

PRAISETHESUN

jellycat2712 said:

Moved into a rented property several weeks ago. When I viewed the property, I was informed that a sofa would be provided (although never got this in writing). When i moved in, an inventory was not provided due to ‘landlord preference’ and when i arrived at the property there was no sofa. I immediately called and the letting agent said one would be delivered ‘next week’ (this was, as stated, several weeks ago).

I have emailed multiple times since moving in, and the letting agents are claiming that the couriers have not provided a delivery date despite them chasing. I have seen no evidence of this so have kept emailing asking for updates, as there is minimal other furniture provided in the property and I currently have nowhere to sit down. How long is reasonable for there not to be a sofa provided, and what next steps can I take if there is still no sofa within a reasonable time frame?

Personally I'd recommend you make your own inventory, and especially document the fact that there is no sofa in the property. Last thing you want is for your LL to make a claim against you for a missing sofa that you never had any proof existed.

As for timescales, assuming your LL is acting in good faith and the sofa is actually on it's way and is being delayed due to circumstances beyond their control, then there isn't really much you can do about it. 

If it's a huge issue not having anywhere to sit, then I'd make your own arrangements. Get a few chairs or a beanbag or something to keep you going in the meantime. Gumtree/FB marketplace are all good places to get stuff on the cheap.

Bookworm105

jellycat2712 said:

Bookworm105 said:

you have no evidence to support your claim that you are "entitled" to a sofa under the terms of the tenancy

Landlord has confirmed in writing that a sofa should have been provided and that one will be provided with a supposed timescale, but this has already passed, hence my question.

jellycat2712 said:

Moved into a rented property several weeks ago. When I viewed the property, I was informed that a sofa would be provided (although never got this in writing). 

that is not what you said in your first post, but hey ho, good that you now have something in writing to hold him to 

propertyrental

Albermarle said:

jellycat2712 said:

Bookworm105 said:

you have no evidence to support your claim that you are "entitled" to a sofa under the terms of the tenancy

Landlord has confirmed in writing that a sofa should have been provided and that one will be provided with a supposed timescale, but this has already passed, hence my question.

...

When i moved in, an inventory was not provided due to ‘landlord preference’

I would make your own inventory and send it off to the agents/landlord. Plus of course take loads of photos. 

Inventory of what? When you move out "But there was absolutely no furniture or white goods when I moved in guv".

What was the condition of the property like? Clean? Dirty? Take photos (pref time stamped though may be too late for that).

Murphybear

Albermarle said:

jellycat2712 said:

Bookworm105 said:

you have no evidence to support your claim that you are "entitled" to a sofa under the terms of the tenancy

Landlord has confirmed in writing that a sofa should have been provided and that one will be provided with a supposed timescale, but this has already passed, hence my question.

Furniture retailers often have supply chain/delivery issues. Might just be as simple as that.

When i moved in, an inventory was not provided due to ‘landlord preference’

I would make your own inventory and send it off to the agents/landlord. Plus of course take loads of photos. 

What did the landlord mean by “landlord preference”?  The inventory is there to protect both the landlord and the tenant.  If there are any disputes when you leave and need to get your deposit back it would be very difficult for the landlord to win without an inventory.  

I would call it “landlord idiocy” 

if you do your own inventory then take your time and put down every little scratch.  Before sending a copy to the landlord number and sign the bottom of every page.  

RHemmings

Murphybear said:

Albermarle said:

jellycat2712 said:

Bookworm105 said:

you have no evidence to support your claim that you are "entitled" to a sofa under the terms of the tenancy

Landlord has confirmed in writing that a sofa should have been provided and that one will be provided with a supposed timescale, but this has already passed, hence my question.

Furniture retailers often have supply chain/delivery issues. Might just be as simple as that.

When i moved in, an inventory was not provided due to ‘landlord preference’

I would make your own inventory and send it off to the agents/landlord. Plus of course take loads of photos. 

What did the landlord mean by “landlord preference”?  The inventory is there to protect both the landlord and the tenant.  If there are any disputes when you leave and need to get your deposit back it would be very difficult for the landlord to win without an inventory.  

I would call it “landlord idiocy” 

if you do your own inventory then take your time and put down every little scratch.  Before sending a copy to the landlord number and sign the bottom of every page.  

Agreed. And in this inventory, you might want to clearly state that you're providing this inventory because no inventory was provided when you moved in. And, that the house and its contents and outdoor areas are in the same condition as when you moved in. 

However, there is the strategy of not having an inventory, and when you move out if your landlord tries to make unreasonably claims on the deposit, to bring up the lack of inventory to the notice of the deposit scheme, and point out there is no evidence of how the ... whatever ... was when you moved in. 

I would take video of every room and space in the house and outdoors. If you take photos then you may find that you don't have a photo of the one thing that you really need. If you take video and make sure you scan all parts of all areas, then it's more likely that you wil. 

saajan_12

You (tenant) don't need to make a full inventory - largely from just a time / effort perspective. Just take a picture of any existing damage and email them now so you can show it wasn't you when you move out. Eg cracked surfaces, non-working appliances, etc. The lack of a couch will be evident from the emails. 

Re the sofa, do you know where they are getting it from? In general, the expected timelines of a LL are "reasonable", in line with what an owner occupier would do. So they should get ordering promptly, after a reasonable time to review options, choose a reasonable delivery option etc. The problem with couches is if new, they can take ages to arrive, even if it was you ordering.. in the region of 8 weeks.