Bed-gate

[Barbarasmum]

My adult DD rented a house with 3 other girls when she started her first job last September. The house was unfurnished, apart from white goods and 4 'posh' double beds - memory foam mattresses, mattress toppers etc....beds were mentioned on the inventory, and the lease ran until March this year
One girl fell out with the other 3 in January and moved out - taking 'her' bed with her. The remaining tenants emailed/texted her and pointed out that the bed belonged to the house, but no reply. They informed the agent that she had taken the bed and asked the police for advice - the police response was that the agent (on behalf of the owner) would have to make a complaint, and they won't do this. (Why would they when they have a big fat deposit to eat into?)

The remaining 3 tenants signed a new agreement in April, but the old inventory wasn't checked and a new one isn't in place. The agents still hold a deposit.

Sorry this is such an essay - my question is this: do the remaining 3 tenants have to replace the bed? The agents say a 'brand-new bed of similar quality' must be in place when they leave, or they'll deduct it from the deposit. There isn't a current inventory - does this help? Obviously someone has lost out here - either the owner or the tenants and Miss Ex-tenant is sitting (sleeping?) pretty. Grr!