Updating post from Reddit.
New C/H install, May 24. Some of the previous ceramic programmable Electric wall heaters were removed. I've attempted to retrieve them and intend to sell. Shortly after, Tenant informed me she had stored them away and didn't want to be contacted. Since I've asked to collect with an arrangement made with Trader, Trader allowed, you will be shown the door. The tenancy is difficult to manage as she insists on her right to deny me access.
My present worry is that she recently emailed an invoice for £2200 for storing these radiators. No agreement was discussed, no formal collection, which is difficult as I'm not allowed in. She's insistent she's within her rights to do this. Now I'm informed they are being sold on 19th August.
Has any LL encountered this? I've never heard of such and believe it wouldn't stand in Court.
Twice earlier in the year, we had arranged to meet elsewhere to sign papers, but this didn't come to fruition. She uses these dates as failed arrangements to collect the radiators.
Anyone who has experience or advice would be great, thank you.
Ps she claims they are in the way of a wheelchair. I was informed they were stored? Why didnt she contact me to request I collect them?
Also the email came shortly after I informed her of something she does not like to hear.
This is such a mad story I have to think there’s more to it, that we’re not being told.
It does sound unbelievable but its not great suffering a tenant like this. She's had huge stress and does have some mental health issues. I know personally from others that she's done some very below the belt things in the past that have got people into trouble. She tries to cause trouble in anyway she can for me.
I think, basically, you are being bullied
Yes, I feel like I am, but she claims I harass, bully and claim I've made her husband mentally until. All communication from me ignores her rants, and I am very careful to back off as soon as I note she's becoming upset. Her claim is entirely untrue. They do get irritated when I request photos of completed work by traders. I receive very few making me vulnerable to traders properly completing work. Many times I've paid traders to discover work was not finished or was done wrong. Its like walking on egg shells all the time.
You’re not maintaining boundaries and letting her baseless threats control you. Why not section 21?
It sounds like she’s trying to use the interference with goods act (TORTS) property left abandoned she becomes the bailee and can dispose/sell.
Without looking into it properly no idea if it would stand. But I doubt it if she’s refusing to allow you to collect them.
OP - torts law would be my guess, but she had a problem
&
In which case any legal viewpoint, is it’s yours & she should give it back
Start with a letter before action, 14 days for her to give access to property, or legal process will be started
Honestly I’d check with legal representation via your renters insurance & look at ending tenancy
Assuming the facts are as presented there are multiple issues in play.
She is perfectly within your rights to deny you access. Legally you have to attempt to complete gas and electricity checks annually. Your obligation wil be discharged if you demonstrate you have made reasonable attempts to do so.
Do not enter the property without permission.
She can’t sell your property without your permission and if she does she would have to give you the relevant market value for them, condition dependant.
Don’t conflate these separate issues. Seek proper legal advice because you will likely need or want to issue a section 21 soon.
Do you have landlord insurance with legal cover? If so use it. Otherwise join nrla and use their advice line.
Looks like you're being taken for a ride.
Sadly, there is no legal cover on this property, it was difficult to add until the Tenant leaves. I can't join the NRLA as I have a commercial letting so I joined the British Landlord Association. Yes, the tenant is taking me for a ride, but she knows what she's up to and has a strong character. She's tried to cause so much trouble for me and I have to take care which way to proceed with this eviction. Not sure whether to proceed with 21 or 8 or both, any help greatly received. I want the easiest route with the least stress, this tenancy is making me ill.
I'd personally pay some money and hire Landlord Action. It'll be worth the spend.
Personally if a tenant behaved like this I’d just serve a section 21. The invoice is unenforceable. Inform that if they are sold you will recover their value through small claims (she has no right to sell landlord property). I’d get rid before section 21 goes ASAP
The tenant is obviously pissed off, but it might not be about this situation it might be about something else.
The only thing I’m thinking is that they feel justified because the goods were left in the property for a long time ?
But anyway, the tenant‘s legal understanding I would give a 1 out of 10.
Rather this is really about something else?
Anyway, don’t worry too much about the second-guessing. Get your boundaries up and deal with it like any professional.
The first thing I would do is formally write saying that the good still belong to you and they have prevented you getting access to your property I’m not unless they are returned you will report the matter to the police.
That should sort out matters.
She wants a Council House and to achieve this she will have to remain until bailiffs arrive. Recently, she wished to wait a year until the arrears were paid off. Now she produced the backdated storage standing at £2300 and informed me she owes me no money, and I must have £80 to get the radiators returned. I have had to indure periods where no one can visit at all. She informed me the radiators were stored away. I've asked twice for a photo of them. I don't know how many or what size they are. She recently informed me of more items left at the property since 2021 which I was not aware of. She informed me of a collection date/time which I couldn't attend then claimed 'I keep' doing this? I've requested a date to collect ALL of the items left at the property, but I have not received a reply. Then I'm accused of harassment and bullying. Maintaining this property is difficult.
To sell someone’s property, you must give them reasonable time to collect. If she’s refused you to collect, you would be able to claim back the costs from her.
Be carefully.
Twice in two different rental properties I have had tenants give me the runaround with meeting away from the property to sign agreements and not allowing a yearly inspection. Both times the houses had been turned to growing farms.
I was more aware with the second and insisted I would be there to let myself in, in 48 hours. Got there to find the tenant scarpered leaving the door unlocked and attempt at filling in the hole in the ceiling. I think the operation was quite new as it looked like it was happening in the loft to start with and they were just about to start expanding to other rooms.
They had tapped directly into the power cable at the back to use the electric. Got the police involved, Western Power out. They took the meter which hadn't been bypassed and cut the power. They then demanded £2500 to reconnect but I got ot down to £1800
The first house I just went after putting a note in the day before. My key wouldn't work so went and got my pry bar from the car and popped the door open, it was the original wooden door and not that secure. Upon entering I could hear a humming noise. Went to put the light on, no power. Went to the stairs and saw a plastic sheet hanging down. Went up and saw huge ducting pipe everywhere. It was the extractors humming. They'd knocked into the chimney breasts to let the air out after it went through filters. Called the police and waited 4 hours in the car for them to get there. One cop only!
Let him in and by then the growing lights had turned on. They'd harvested as there were pots in the rooms with only the bottom of the pant left. But in the loft conversion there were 81 small plants. Cop said they're worth £1000 each as they can take cuttings to grow more. Only then did he call for others. They turned up with a van to take the plants. Again, Western Power took the meter which had been bypassed, and cut supply. Got told by the cops they'd tell me when I can go in.
Three weeks later got the OK and went in. Apart from the baby plants everything was as it was left... growing lamps, old pots, ducting. Called the station and asked what I had to do and was told it was up to me to dispose of it all.
Cost a small fortune to get that house back to spec and despite giving the police I'd of the tenants, where they worked, bank account of where the rent was paid from, even Facebook profiles, nothing came of it.