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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To throw away the landlord's shit in the loft?

356 replies

MuttonWasAGoose · 16/11/2015 14:45

We've just moved in to a nice house. The landlady mentioned that the loft was partly boarded out and that they'd left "a couple of boxes in the very back that we couldn't reach."

I just went to stow some things and pretty most of the boarded out space is full of their stuff. It's about a dozen or so cartons of crap. Mostly toys and holiday decorations.

None of this is on the inventory. I'd like to use that space for our empty suitcases, camping gear, etc. There's already a large shed full of their stuff that I grudgingly accept we can't use. But the loft situation annoys me.

DH feels it would be wrong to empty the loft. I have been in this situation before (previous landlord was much, much worse and I did throw everything away.) I just have no patience for this. I think it's infantile to be unable to take responsibility for your belongings. If they can't be bothered to move it, or even inventory it, then they clearly can't really care about it.

The first carton I looked in had what was clearly a well-loved child's teddy. Even I don't have the heart to toss that. But what about the other stuff?

OP posts:
evilcherub · 16/11/2015 15:25

Just get rid of it if it's not on the inventory. They will have to prove that you moved it. You are paying for use of the space, not for them to store their rubbish.

Original poster
MuttonWasAGoose · 16/11/2015 15:26

Actually, speaking of our last landlord... When we did the final inspection/check out with the agent, he told us to remove everything not on the inventory. I think his attitude was that it would cause confusion and the landlord may actually seek compensation for removal of items that were hers to begin with.

OP posts:
Queenbean · 16/11/2015 15:26

OP, what does it say in your inventory and / or written communications from the agency or landlord about the stuff in the shed and the attic?

Whatthefreakinwhatnow · 16/11/2015 15:26

hang on, have you not actually asked her yet then and are just assuming she'll say no based on past experiences?! You'd go straight to throwing it out before asking?!

And so what if renting the house is paying the mortgage, they are still providing you with a service and yes I think you should he grateful! When I rented I certainly was, and wouldn't have dreamed of throwing my LLs stuff out.

evilcherub · 16/11/2015 15:27

It's not her house at the moment. You are paying to rent it, so it is your house. Unless she specifically listed it on the inventory then you have the right to use the space you are paying to rent and were told you could use!

LucilleBluth · 16/11/2015 15:27

I can't believe the posters saying that the op should be grateful, fuck that.....she's paying thousands to this woman. Op, I wouldn't chuck the stuff but I would insist on it being removed. I teally hop that I never have to rent again. It's like the Lords and peasants all over again.

Original poster
MuttonWasAGoose · 16/11/2015 15:29

The shed isn't even a possibility. I've accepted that. The loft annoyed the shit out of me, though. I never get to just leave things. I've moved overseas and across continents. I've dragged a fucking child's rocking chair thousands of miles because it was my mother's and she pretty much made me promise to never get rid of it so I schlep it about. Grin

It annoys me when I see others unable to deal with their shit. But, I may just be jealous. If I could settle down in one place and one house, I'd probably accrue junk as well.

OP posts:
Owllady · 16/11/2015 15:31

I live in a rented house that has a loft FULL of the landlords belongings and I mean from the loft floor to the very top of the roof! I actually think it's a fire hazard. We've lived here five years too.

I really think a rental property should come completely empty (except in the case of part/furnished)

Original poster
MuttonWasAGoose · 16/11/2015 15:32

The inventory says nothing about the shed or loft. The shed is padlocked so we're not going in there. There's also two of those big green garden boxes (not quite sheds). They're available to us but not empty. I'm not sure what's in them or if we will be inconvenienced by their contents yet.

OP posts:
DixieNormas · 16/11/2015 15:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

specialsubject · 16/11/2015 15:33

wow, MN at its best. Whining, screaming and completely incapable of intelligent discussion. Add the usual 'all landlords are bastards' and we have the full set.

the bleeding obvious answer would be for the OP to phone the landlord, say that there is less space in the loft than she thought and ask for some more room to be created. This is the adult reaction. What was the word 'infantile' referring to?

still, why miss an opportunity to spew bile?

the landlord should have created a clear demaraction line and put all his/her stuff in the area excluded from the let. The OP 'grudgingly' accepted that, presumably by 'grudgingly' signing a contract. Leaving non-inventoried items accessible to tenants does risk the kind of threats being made on here.

Whatthefreakinwhatnow · 16/11/2015 15:34

mutton what did the LL say when you asked her if she would collect her things?

DixieNormas · 16/11/2015 15:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ItMustBeBedtimeSurely · 16/11/2015 15:34

You're paying for the space, you should be able to use it. Unless the tenancy agreement states the loft is not included in the rental, then she shouldn't be storing her stuff there.

And it's not her home, it's the op's home. As long as she is a tenant.

You certainly could throw the stuff, since it's not in the inventory. But, the rental laws in the uk being what they are, I'm afraid you're going to have to ask her and accept her answer, because if you don't, she can just evict you.

Hopefully it's just an oversight, and she'll be happy to remove the stuff and let you use the space.

Original poster
MuttonWasAGoose · 16/11/2015 15:37

I agree that I should ask first. But I'll do it verbally to begin with as there's no written record of the stuff so far. If she is difficult about it, then we'll have to consider our options legally.

I haven't actually thrown anything out. Part of me wants to because I'm fucking irritated. But that's not the same as actually doing so.

OP posts:
Owllady · 16/11/2015 15:38

Surely all the stuff up there isn't insured too? I'm baffled as to what would happen if it was damaged

I'm not sure if I let my house out, that I'd want complete strangers having access to my stuff anyway. It's a bit bizarre really

Whatthefreakinwhatnow · 16/11/2015 15:40

Oh my god,so you've not actually asked her! All this angst when she'll likely just turn round and say oh sorry, forgot about that I'll call round and get it at the weekend or whatever.

The way your getting so worked up and angry about it it's as though you'd already been told no!

Crikey OP Confused

whois · 16/11/2015 15:45

YABVU shock It is the landlord's property and her belongings.

Actually, whist the OP is paying rent and the loft isn't explicitly excluded in the AST then it's the OPs right to use that space.

Not on the inventory then they aren't there and she has no come back.

However, I would just call her and ask her to remove them. Don't email as then there will be a paper chain. If she doesn't do any timing about it then you can chuck the shit out.

She should have excluded the loft from the tenancy, or paid for storage like everyone else has to.

You don't rent a house and leave your shit in it.

Whatthefreakinwhatnow · 16/11/2015 15:47

SHE'S NOT ASKED FOR IT TO BE MOVED!! If the OP just asks it will be an non-bloody issue!

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 16/11/2015 15:48

Is there space to move the stuff from the loft into the shed, in the interim?

JoySzasz · 16/11/2015 15:49

Omg! YANBU not at all.
The landlord needs to move her crap.
The op is paying for the space. I would be pissed off in her shoes.
You don't get to rent out space and use it at the same time.
Tell her op as soon as possible. That is your home while you pay her rent.

Utterlyclueless · 16/11/2015 15:50

Is there a chance the LL thought there was less stuff in the loft than there actually is?

Original poster
MuttonWasAGoose · 16/11/2015 15:52

She's been around once. That's when she told us that the shed wasn't going to be emptied. She seems nice enough but so did the landlord who was in bizarre denial about their parents' medication and clothing. In that case I packed things that seemed valuable or sentimental (including the clothing) and stuffed it all up in the loft. Then I threw out everything else.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 16/11/2015 15:55

'What if it has real or sentimental value to her? Its her house, you are just renting! I rent too, and our landlord has loads of stuff in the loft. I just put up with it!'

Where do you get such a mentality? That's the whole fucking problem, you put up with it, like a dog licking the master's boots. You are not there gratis, as a guest. You are paying for that space.

'And there it is again - the rental property should be the OP's home - not the owners. It is the owner's property, yes, but their home, no.
This unprofessional, emotionally over engaged, individuals renting out properties in a slipshod manner would be unimaginable in many countries, where rentals are controlled by property companies, with proper maintenance staff etc. Not filled with Aunty Betty's Christmas decorations from 1973.......
Spot on! '

Only in the UK to they put up with this kind of absolute bollocks.

When I book a hotel room for the night, I don't own the room, but I don't expect the owner to leave personal belongings in the fucking space I am paying to hire.

'When my father moved out of what had been the family home, not long after DM died, to move in with his new partner, he left some stuff in the attic. He locked it up, but the tenant, a real charmer, broke in. I have never seen some of DM's things since. And yes, I'm still a bit bitter about it.'

You're bitter at the wrong person. Would you leave stuff you really cared about in a home someone else was living in?

Original poster
MuttonWasAGoose · 16/11/2015 15:56

Frankly, I shouldn't even have to ask. I think part of being a responsible adult is taking care of your belongings. She certainly made it sound like there was a minimal amount of stuff up there. Perhaps she thought there was and this was all honestly forgotten. Maybe she'll realise when she goes to decorate for Christmas. I can see how that could happen. So, I'll call her and tell her.

If she doesn't come asap then I'll be genuinely annoyed.

OP posts: