Previous Tennant items left in property AIBU?

[Clareel]

Hi all, recently moved into a (furnished) rented flat which is owned by the landlord but let and managed by one of the big estate agents. Basically the previous Tennant has left a load of rubbish in the flat, all broken and/or dirty. We don't have a car to take to the tip and it is large items which can't be broken down and put in the household rubbish such as a metal clothes maiden, large picture frame, 3 double duvets etc. There is loads of stuff and it is taking up all of our storage space, the agency and landlord are refusing to remove it but are happy for us to dispose of it in any way we see fit but I just don't know how to get rid of it? I have looked at bulky waste collection via the council but they charge over £50 for a max of 5 items and we would need 3-4 collections to get rid of all this stuff.

Who is right here? I feel that it should be down to the landlord or agency to dispose of what is essentially rubbish left by the previous tennant but maybe IABU?

And if I were you, I would book a man and van rubbish removal and deduct it from the rent. Bet they wouldn't get far with reclaiming it off you as it's their fault the inventory is not correct. You have to sign to acknowledge the inventory so I would refuse.

We thought a flat had been let with a sofa in it, it hadn't, it had been left by the previous tenant who couldn't be arsed to move it. The landlord didn't know until she came round and I commented on the poor state of it and could she see to upgrade it for the next tenant (we were moving out). She didn't know what I was on about.

Can you move back out until the stuff is removed?

Squirrels - I feel like a fool as when they told me it was lost I didn't really argue just said okay and let them come and redo it but we where on holiday and our stuff was all over the place, we moved on the Friday and went on holiday on the Monday.

I need to reply to this latest email I got today (from the agency) which states they have checked with the landlord and he is happy for us to dispose of the items in any way I see fit but is not willing to incur any costs.

What should I say, I think I need to ask for the details of someone more senior? I am so shy and hate confrontation :(

Please don't back down - point out to your OH that being laid back now is not a good idea. If they are willing to treat you this way when you move in, they will be unscrupulous when you move out.

Don't sign the inventory, put it in writing to the agency and LL (as an email and also as a posted letter) that the inventory is in dispute, that you require the removal of the items listed, and that if it has not been arranged by X date, you will have it removed and deduct the cost from the rent.

Have you got the 'not to worry' about the inventory in writing? If not you're leaving yourself open for an absolute shredding when you move out. You need to get clear agreement between the agents and you about what was in the property and it's condition at the time you moved in.

Squirrels I know you are right. I don't have any contact details for the landlord at all so can't contact them.

mumonashoestring - No that was said to me over the phone, so I think I need to address that with them again in writing. I have stopped dealing with them over the phone now as felt everything was so dodgy that I would prefer to do it via email so have a paper trail. I feel so upset and silly that I've let this happen.

I am going to email this guy back from the agency now and ask for the contact details of his mamager to speak with.

They are completely in the wrong and I bet they know it. They are just trying it on. Time for more stroppy emails and phone calls.

Take as many photos as you can now and forward them to the landlord and agent along with confirming their balls up about the inventory if you haven't already got something in writing about it.

Good luck.

You were told "any way you see fit"... I support PPs ideas of having it delivered to the letting agent's office.

If anything is still usable, list it on FB selling groups for "best quick offer" or free. Otherwise, destroying it and breaking it down into pieces small enough for the bin man is an option.

HOWEVER... "reputable" letting agents would never have handed it over in that condition, no matter how large the company is.

You're not a fool, just a nice person when they are being arseholes. Here you go:

Further to my email/letter of X, I am afraid that the response from "LL" is not acceptable to me.

The inventory is incorrect, and we will not be signing it until it has been corrected. The items that are left here by the previous tenants are not our responsibility for storage or disposal.

If the agency/LL is unwilling to assist us in arranging for their disposal, I will get quotes for their removal and will deduct the total from the rent.
We will then need the inventory to be redone.

Please do pass this to your manager if it is more appropriate for someone else to deal with this.

Yours...

I feel so upset and silly that I've let this happen.

Not your fault your agents are lazy shysters! You're spot on with corresponding via email instead of phone, don't let them weasel out of anything that they ought to be doing to ensure you can enjoy the property you're paying for.

I was going to reply but Squirrels (^^) has said everything I was going to! Definitely state that is is NOT your responsibility and if they are unwilling to removed the items, you will arrange for them to be removed and deduct the amount from the rent.

Do they have an office? When I was in a similar situation the only way I could get the agent to take action was to go to their office on a Saturday afternoon (their busy time) and, while being extremely polite, make it clear I was staying until I had a resolution. Then repeat anything they said verbally back to them in email form. I had to do it more than once.

My ex recently moved into a rental (& paid £400) just to apply. It was supposed to have been professionally cleaned. He found black bin liners of USED nappies in the airing cupboard !

Landlords details should be in your contract

This is 100% their responsibility

I would write a letter as Squirel describes with any photo evidence and send a copy to the landlord.

OP please don't beat yourself up about this. You're dealing with it now and that's what counts. You also haven't done anything wrong. You have been an obliging and helpful tenant, making the best of a tricky situation. Now it's their turn.

I think NoSquirrels ' email is perfect - polite, to the point and the threat of rent deduction should sharpen their mind. You may be surprised how quickly this can be sorted out once they have to explain to the LL why the rent is short. I would also copy the CEO of the lettings agency into your correspondence.

Keep everything in writing. Take photos of it all. Get multiple quotes of removal and disposal. Do not sign the inventory until it has all been removed and your costs, if any, have been reimbursed.

If this does not move their arses, then a threat of escalation to the relevant trade association/ombudsman or Trading Standards might help.

Good luck. We're tenants too and know how awful it can be. But remember you are equally valuable to LL - they will not want a rent void over something that could have been so easily sorted out at the beginning.

Enjoy your new home

Thanks so much for all of your replies I am so frustrated as we had to move here quickly after our last propert boiler was omitting cO2 and the landlord there (different one!) weren't willing to sort it out so found this property which we though was perfect and now this!

I have emailed back saying that it is not acceptable and requested the contact details for the manager, also that the inventory needs to be done properly and I'll see where we go from there.

Thank you all so much :)

Do the agents have an office near you? Go in during the day when there are other people around and speak very loudly!! Take photos, get everything in writing, and DO NOT sign the inventory.

Yes they do have an office, that will be my next point of call if I don't get anyway through email. With the inventory we have never had a paper copy it was done and then uploaded to a sort of secure internet portal that we have to log in to, so we've never been asked to sign it just told it was there and then that's when I realised it was incorrect.

NoSquirrels

Boom. Good email.

Phone them and ask to speak to the manager directly. Don't be put off and ask if he/she thinks this is acceptable. They will have to agree that it isn't and then ask what they are going to do. Don't offer suggestions just ask...

Emails will sit in an inbox and you need to be direct and swift.

local fb and twitter, put pictures on especially freezer contents and dog hair.
Name and shame company and quote some of the things they have said.

We had this a few years back. 8 massive bin bags of rubbish left in the front garden of the house. At least they bagged it and took it outside I suppose! Couldn't have fit it in wheelie bin and council will not take 'stray' bags, only the bin.

Previous tenant even had the cheek to knock on door 2 weeks later for post while bags still outside and said the rubbish was not his although he had told the agent he had removed it.

In the end after much chasing, it was summer and it stunk, I TOLD the agent that I was hiring a man and van to take it to the tip and would take the £50 off the rent and I did. I had emails chasing them as proof that had not dealt with it.

They're happy for you to get rid of the crap as you see fit? Is there a communal garden/yard/hall that you can put it in? Take photos first then email them to let know!