To ask if our tenants' request is reasonable?

[TrickyD]

Tenants have just moved in to our two bed terrace house which was let as furnished. They have requested, via the agent, that we remove the bed from the second bedroom as they have a 6 month old child; they want the room as a nursery, and apparently " their furniture will be arriving soon".
We live 90 miles away, so bringing the bed here, storing it and probably taking it back for the next tenant is a pain.
The bed was there when they viewed. Would it be reasonable to ask them to deal with it themselves and replace it at the end of the tenancy, or should we just suck it up and drive over and fetch it? DH prefers the latter "to keep them sweet".

[KinkyAfro]

Tell them to store it in the cellar

[EssentialHummus]

No, wrapped well (at their cost) and in the cellar. Otherwise you'll be hearing about more furniture that they want removed.

[RubbishMantra]

Tricky, you sound thoughtful and accommodating. But I think it a really bad idea that you suggest they store bed and mattress in the cellar. The prospective tenants could waltz out at end of tenancy, your bed and mattress ruined by damp. And their reply will be "Well you told us to store it the cellar."

I'd never store anything like a mattress in my cellar, even though it has a window with one of those spinny things in it, that encourages air-flow.

They've agreed to rent a furnished property from you. It's their responsibility to put into storage anything surplus to requirements into storage, at their own cost, not your's.

[PaulDacresConscience]

I'd be reluctant to suggest the cellar. If they don't store it properly it will end up going mouldy or warping. I had similar in the past and the furniture was ruined and had to be disposed of - and replaced as ironically the next tenants did want a furnished house!

I'd also be wary of going down the route of allowing them to get rid and then be responsible for replacing it at the end of the tenancy. Firstly there is no guarantee that they will do this. Secondly I'd prefer to source the furniture myself because I can ensure it is decent quality and also new and fire retardant (where appropriate). Again I have had experience of this in the past and the replacement items from the tenant were very cheap and poor quality, so ended up having to be replaced again by me.

[Judydreamsofhorses]

We rent a furnished property, but have quite a lot of our own furniture - the "house furniture" we don't use is all stored in my partner's mum's spare room, and the "house fittings" like lamps, pictures etc are all bubble-wrapped and stored in the hall cupboard.

I think it's totally reasonable for the tenants to want to use their own furniture, but they need to make arrangements for that themselves.

[Usernamehistory]

I'd think long-term and if possible you should accommodate their wishes. Dealing with it is better than having the property empty for a month or more.

You can very obviously say 'no' but wouldn't you rather keep them there, keep them happy, paying rent on time, respecting you and the property... I'd tell them though that you probably can't move any more. Lazyafternoon's advice was sound, in my opinion.

I have a few buy-to-lets. I've had these requests and have said no once and yes twice.

[OohhThatsMe]

You might as well throw it away as put it in a damp cellar.

OP, presumably you know that there are different rules concerning furnished and unfurnished accommodation? Don't allow them to turn it into an unfurnished house.

[Usernamehistory]

ps. you can buy a mattress for ~£100 (I'm sure it isn't the highest quality). How much would having the property empty cost you?

[SmilingButClueless]

Is there room for a cot in the second bedroom if the bed isn't removed?

I can understand why the tenants might want the bed moved. Most of the furniture may well be suited to a family (otherwise why rent furnished rather than unfurnished) but you can't expect a baby to sleep in a proper bed. So what alternative do they really have but to get their own furniture for the child?

If you are intending to try and keep these tenants long-term, I'd agree. A little goodwill goes a long way.

[Cakescakescakes]

Isn't it quite possible that the furniture they have coming is possibly a cot and changing table etc that they have ordered. I.e. It's coming soon from Mothercare or John Lewis etc. If they want to use it as a nursery then that would be my first thought - not that they've a ton of sofas etc arriving. And if they're having a baby then they'll need to purchase some of their own furniture unless there is a cot etc already provided.

[TrickyD]

Armed with the collective advice from you Mumsnetters, I rang the agent and spoke to the man who dealt with negotiating the letting, as opposed the woman who looks after ongoing tenancies. He has just rung me to say he has told the tenants that the bed was on the inventory, they may dismantle and store, but it must be replaced at the end in correct condition. The tenant is apparently happy with this.

I am so glad I posted on here and queried the request. DH is delighted not to be lugging a mattress around so thanks from him too. Lots of , and to you all.

[PaulDacresConscience]

Make sure you have pictures and a full description on the inventory. Otherwise you may end up with a hastily bought cheap bed at the end of the tenancy rather than your item of furniture - fine if that's what it already is, but not so good if the original was good quality and expensive.

[TrickyD]

Yes, Paul, will certainly take an extra detailed pic when we call in tomorrow, though the inventory is comprehensive.

[user1478551766]

You know that if your agent only talked to the tenants today, you can't expect to go in there tomorrow? Thats not enough notice. It;s not their fault your agent isn't good at communication.

[TrickyD]

Yes, User, but the tenants have agreed our visit, both with the woman and the more helpful man from. the agency. I guess they are pleased at the prospect of having more outside storage when we remove the previous tenants' boxes and bottles.

[user1478551766]

Lucky for you. They seem like good tenants, I'd be good to them back if I were you.

[lalalalyra]

I would have moved it. If they are long term tenants, and good tenants (which they are showing a promising start by not kicking off about your agents short notice) they are worth more than a bed. Just let them know you don't have storage facilities for anything else.

You also need to seriously bollock, or get rid, of your agent. A shit agent is the number one way to wreck a ll-tenant relationship in my experience. They'd have been well within their rights to object to you turning up tomorrow. I'd make sure they know that you spoke to the agent last week and have goen through them for it.

[TrickyD]

I will certainly let the tenants know we asked the agents in very good time.

[MargaretCavendish]

From my own renting days: it's actually quite annoying to blame the agent for things while not doing anything about it. You can change the agent. They can't. They don't care whether it's the agent's fault or yours, they just care that they're being messed about.

[YelloDraw]

God some people really have no idea how to act reasonably and maintain future good relationships with tenants. It isn't their fault you live far away, that is YOUR problem (anyway you can claim mileage off your tax BTW).

Yes it was 'sold as seen' but TBH it is not a massive issue for you to arrange for the bed to be removed. Goodwill goes both ways and if they are having a baby they are likely going to stay put for a bit.

[TrickyD]

I wondered when the kicking would start.

[MerryMarigold]

I am a LL but not a 'professional' one. I think it is better to 'keep them sweet' so they look after your property, but also set boundaries. I would take it if you're going to visit anyway. The mattress will not last in a cellar. I think it would be a bit unreasonable to give the 90 mile excuse if you're going to check on some stuff (or was it the agent checking, I wasn't clear). But say, you can't do this for any of the other furniture in the house.

[Witchend]

When we rented our house it was marked at unfurnished. Turned out it was furnished. We reached an agreement that they removed one of the sofas and large chairs and one of the double beds. (leaving us with 2 sofas, 2 large chairs and 2 double beds-in a 3 bed house!).
Wouldn't have asked if it had been advertised as furnished.

[PaulDacresConscience]

Erm Yello surely it would be reasonable for the tenants to view a property which is fully furnished - and advertised as such - and query whether it would be possible to store the bed before commencing their tenancy? Rather than waiting until 2 weeks into the tenancy, having signed the inventory which lists this item as being part of the flat? After all their furniture and 6 month child presumably didn't just materialise during the last 2 weeks?

It's not just about mileage - it's also about the OP's time. And space which is suitable to store the items without them being damaged. 'Reasonable' works both ways.

[Trifleorbust]

I think they are being totally reasonable, unless you made it clear when they moved in that there was no flexibility about furnishings. It is their home now so they aren't technically obliged to provide storage for you.