Random Furniture Left In a Rental By Landlord

gazfocus

I’m a landlord myself and I don’t really know how to advise on this so thought I’d get some opinions on here…

Short Version: If someone is moving in to a rental property that is advertised as unfurnished, but lots of random pieces of furniture left by the landlord, what could the tenant do? 

Longer Version: Someone I know viewed a property advertised as unfurnished. The property is ‘empty’ (as in nobody living there) but on the viewing there was a lot of pieces of furniture in the house (2 sofas, dining table, beds with mattresses, free standing wardrobes, really old TV, etc). 

This person asked the letting agent and was told the furniture is staying. Because this person wanted the house, they applied for the house anyway knowing the furniture would be left but doesn’t want or need most of the furniture. I should say a lot of it is very dated, and a mix match of furniture that looks like it’s been dumped by the landlord.

Now this person has got the keys, they’ve have asked me if I think they could request the landlord removes the furniture. I’ve said I’m not so sure because they knew it would be there when they applied for the house. 

I said they would be justified in disposing of the mattresses (who would want to sleep on a used mattress that you don’t know the history of?) but I’m not sure about the rest of the stuff. 

The problem is, if they have to keep the furniture, it could completely fill one of the bedrooms making the room unusable. 

Any opinions would be welcome.  

theartfullodger

Is there an inventory and/or photos of the place & contents?? If not a very stupid & ignorant landlord..... (so I might decide to get out ASAP...)

Suggest a calm & polite/email (ie in writing, keep copies) to landlord explaining unwanted stuff and that removal to dump will be arranged, costs to landlord.  

Which country (eg Scotland, NI)?? As you'll know the law varies.....

gazfocus

theartfullodger said:

Is there an inventory and/or photos of the place & contents?? If not a very stupid & ignorant landlord..... (so I might decide to get out ASAP...)

Suggest a calm & polite/email (ie in writing, keep copies) to landlord explaining unwanted stuff and that removal to dump will be arranged, costs to landlord.  

Which country (eg Scotland, NI)?? As you'll know the law varies.....

Thanks - Will check if the items are included in inventory. I’ve only had a brief chat with them but didn’t think to ask. I do know that some of the items are on the original Rightmove photos. 

The house is in England. 

Grumpy_chap

Does the furniture belong to the LL or left behind by a previous T?

gazfocus

Grumpy_chap said:

Does the furniture belong to the LL or left behind by a previous T?

I assume it belongs to the landlord as the furniture has been in historic listings of the house I’ve found online. 

FlorayG

I would think they are stuck with the furniture because they were clearly told it's remaining. The only 'stuff' they could get removed is upholstered stuff that doesn't have a fire safety label
Thinks of it from the LL point of view - the LL clearly told them the furniture was included why do they want rid of it now they are resident? 

gazfocus

FlorayG said:

I would think they are stuck with the furniture because they were clearly told it's remaining. The only 'stuff' they could get removed is upholstered stuff that doesn't have a fire safety label
Thinks of it from the LL point of view - the LL clearly told them the furniture was included why do they want rid of it now they are resident? 

Yeh I’m leaning towards this thought myself. They knew the furniture was being left so they shouldn’t really expect it to be removed. I’m still waiting to find out if it’s mentioned on the inventory because if it is, in my kind they’ve got no choice. If it’s not, then there’s a bit more of a chance to get it removed. 

I have said that in my opinion, I would get rid of the mattresses (for hygiene reasons) but other than that, I think they’ll just have to make do or at best get a watertight shed and store it in there. 

DullGreyGuy

gazfocus said:

Grumpy_chap said:

Does the furniture belong to the LL or left behind by a previous T?

I assume it belongs to the landlord as the furniture has been in historic listings of the house I’ve found online. 

Doesn't mean it is, out last rental had a massive leather sofa. No idea how it ever got into the flat. When discussing our moving out with the LandLord they said both it and the dinning table was something left behind several tenancies ago and they'd just left them there.  These two were on the inventory but not a few other items that had been left behind. 

gazfocus said:
This person asked the letting agent and was told the furniture is staying. Because this person wanted the house, they applied for the house anyway knowing the furniture would be left but doesn’t want or need most of the furniture. I should say a lot of it is very dated, and a mix match of furniture that looks like it’s been dumped by the landlord.

There isnt a strict definition of what is furnished and what is unfurnished, this is particularly true when it comes to white goods in the kitchen. Most have come with a cooker and fridge etc but did have one that had no fridge which was annoying as had to buy one knowing its likely in the next place wouldn't need it, it worked out in the end as after 3 years and us moving out we were very clear to viewers that the fridge/freezer was ours./not part of the flat and the LL reached out and offered to buy it at about 90% of what we'd paid for it. 

Ultimately speak to the LL, they may be willing/able to take it away or agree that you can dump it but having been told up front it was there to stay its a little late in the process to be asking. 

FreeBear

DullGreyGuy said: Ultimately speak to the LL, they may be willing/able to take it away or agree that you can dump it but having been told up front it was there to stay its a little late in the process to be asking. 

If the LL agrees to removal of any items, do make sure it is in writing.

The last thing you want is the LL claiming for the cost of the items when you move out.

BikingBud

I trust the person has their own furniture and there is no space for 2 sets.

I would return a copy of the move in inventory to the landlord annotated that despite the inventory not listing the furniture the following items were present in the flat

And that considering the house was advertised as unfurnished and the inventory did not list them that they are surplus items and will be disposed of in 14 days.

Or agree a rebate against the rent for storage and limitation of space.