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Original poster

Taking items not on the flat inventory

47 replies

MoralQuandry · 25/07/2017 11:22

We currently rent but are lucky enough to be buying our first property. We've lived in our current place for two years and have done a lot to the place including tidying up the very overgrown garden, re-painting the bathroom and replacing the bathroom cabinet, all at our own expense. We're going to be cash-strapped once we exchange and there are a number of items in our current place which are not in the inventory, as they were left behind by previous tenants, including an old microwave and two seater sofa. Would we be unreasonable or even committing a crime to take these items? I can't help feeling a bit guilty but on the other hand, we could really do with these items and they don't appear to belong to anyone. Confused

OP posts:
Mummyoflittledragon · 25/07/2017 12:33

MsSusan. They don't sound as professional as they could be tbh.

BraveBear · 25/07/2017 12:38

If it's not on the inventory it's yours.

Originalfoogirl · 25/07/2017 12:45

If you are certain there is nothing wrong with taking them, then why not just ask the landlord?

DeleteOrDecay · 25/07/2017 12:53

Otherwise it is theft, pure & simple.

This is wrong, pure and simple.

I would take it if you want it, if it's not on the inventory then I doubt the LL cares what happens to it. They'd probably prefer someone took it as it means they don't have to deal with getting rid of it at some point.

Hissy · 25/07/2017 12:53

if they are not on the inventory, they don't exist.

Take whatever you need that is not covered by the inventory

Hissy · 25/07/2017 12:57

I'm an ex inventory clerk. I know what I'm saying. the inventory is a record of condition and contents where appropriate.

If something was left behind by previous tenants and not added onto the inventory at check in, and you want to take it prior to check out, it's yours.

If LL didn't want it, they could have removed it and charged the previous tenant for its removal when they left.

Blerg · 25/07/2017 13:08

I was once nearly charged £50 or maybe more for the removal of a package of brand new knives and forks that had been left by a previous tenant. They weren't on the inventory, and weren't ours - and there was a flat rate for removing items. I gave them to a charity shop.

I agree that sometimes what is provided as furnishings is annoying. In my last few rentals I've had to have a cupboard or 2 taken up with all the crappy pots and pans and crockery I don't want to use. Where we are now inc dirty table mats.

Moving to unfurnished soon - am glad.

HipsterHunter · 25/07/2017 13:09

I was once nearly charged £50 or maybe more for the removal of a package of brand new knives and forks that had been left by a previous tenant. They weren't on the inventory, and weren't ours - and there was a flat rate for removing items. I gave them to a charity shop.

Luckily that kind of crap can't happen any more - with the TDS.

Blerg · 25/07/2017 13:11

The charity shop bit wasn't meant to implying you are being grabby, btw! We just assumed they belonged, didn't need them.

IHeartDodo · 25/07/2017 13:15

Hmm I'm also a landlord and I would just drop them a quick email to ask. Legally you can take the stuff but I'd find it a bit cheeky!

Blerg · 25/07/2017 13:15

Thank goodness Hipster. The place after that we got zero deposit back for no reason. We rented a flat in his house and it was all dodgy looking back. He said we couldn't stay as expecting a baby. Bastard. He was a miserable git, karma armed to be taking its tool actively.

Urgh the joys of renting. Congratulations on your house purchase OP. I'd take them but I'd probably also be paranoid about the LL being pissy about it. Do you have a third party inventory person?

user2375 · 25/07/2017 13:24

Take them. Almost certainly left from other tenants and if you don't take them landlord will claim them for themselves or chuck them out.

itshappening · 25/07/2017 13:26

If the previous tenants left them there, I would see it as the equivalent of leaving something outside with a note saying free to good home. The landlord had first option to take them, he or she saw them first and could have taken them by adding them to the inventory, but didn't. So I would say they are yours for the taking.

Hissy · 25/07/2017 13:29

Hmm I'm also a landlord and I would just drop them a quick email to ask. Legally you can take the stuff but I'd find it a bit cheeky!

Cheeky? why? The stuff is no more yours than the outgoing tenant's... I'd find it cheeky for you to expect them to be be left!

Original poster
MoralQuandry · 25/07/2017 13:30

Hi Blerg thank you on the congratulations, no 3rd party it's from a letting agency, I'm not sure if they will even remember we left them, loads of random rubbish in the basement left by previous tenants as well.

Thanks everyone else as well!

OP posts:
IHeartDodo · 25/07/2017 13:33

I just think it's rude...

Although the stuff my last tenant left I either made him come and pick up or added it to the inventory for the next tenants.

He left a 25kg sand bag! And said "oh yeah you can keep that"! I was thinking "do I look like a weightlifter??" took me 20 minutes to get it down the stairs.

AnnieOH1 · 25/07/2017 13:36

I would be concerned about being charged for items to be disposed of if you left behind items not on the inventory to be honest. :\

specialsubject · 25/07/2017 14:07

Ask the landlord if they are his. I had the opposite, new tenants moved in and were told that the crap left belonged to me ( the landlord) by an agent wanting to minimise work.

I would have been delighted if the house had been emptied of non inventory items. So ask.

ShesABloodyLoon · 25/07/2017 14:22

You can't be charged for items that aren't on the inventory. It's unenforceable as there is no record of their existence. If it were the case, then many tenants could be charged for 60" flat screen TVs and state of the art £230 Bugatti orange kettles that the LL says exists.
Take them or you may even be charged a removal fee.

SpaghettiAndMeatballs · 25/07/2017 14:33

Landlord and tenant here - and I agree with everyone else, if they're not on the inventory, they don't exist, they were basically rubbish left in the flat by the previous tenants which you decided not to dispose of.

As a tenant, one of the first things I do is pack up all the tat/rubbish that the landlord thinks I need (and is on the inventory) and put it in a cupboard. That way I can use my own stuff without worrying, and just unpack all the knackered pots and pans, carved wooden 'LOVE' ornaments and hideous bedsheets.

I much prefer renting unfurnished!

MsSusanStoHelit · 25/07/2017 14:44

Agreed @Mummyoflittledragon! But an awful lot of letting agencies might seem very professional to the landlord but are extremely not to the tenants, I'm afraid.

Re: the leaving of stuff - don't get too excited @SpaghettiAndMeatballs, some people do leave all sorts of stuff in unfurnished flats thinking it's helpful and then add it to the inventory. You can of course be very clear at the beginning that you don't want anything like that left but it doesn't seem to help.

I just don't get the logic: we own all our own furniture but we need a third hand 80s crockery set? Mostly when it's happened to us they seem put out that we don't appreciate their 'kindness' but when it's a tiny flat I don't want the random stuff!

But OP, check with the landlord then just take it - why spend money when you don't need to?

StarryCorpulentCunt · 25/07/2017 19:15

I would provide a kettle for the simple reason that they are only a fiver for a cheap one and when moving home it is nice to be able to have a bloody cup of tea before digging through the boxes.

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