AIBU about my lodger

[WH1SKERS]

I’ve had a lodger for the last two years. Just before lockdown started she moved in with her boyfriend and gave me 4 weeks notice that she was officially moving out ( that’s what’s in her contract ).

So she stopped paying rent yesterday and was supposed to be here today to collect all her things. When she went to her boyfriends she left almost everything here - her bedroom is jam packed with all her clothes and make up, food in her kitchen cupboard and the fridge, bathroom full of her toiletries, jackets and shoes in the hall, plants in the living room etc etc .

She didn’t turn up. When I messaged her she replied that she can’t come to collect her things because of lockdown and she will come at another time when lockdown is over.

I pointed out that she is the one who has chosen to move out during lockdown. And she can’t just leave her stuff here, keep my house keys and pay no rent. And that moving your things out at the end of a tenancy is an essential journey, because she has no right to leave it here.

She has refused to come for it.

She says IABU because the new lodger doesn’t move in until June . But I was hoping to redecorate her room and buy some new furniture (because she has broken it ).

Besides I don’t think that’s really the point. It’s not my job to store her stuff for free.

AIBU?

What should I do ? How long should I give her to collect her belongings ?

Write to her, recorded delivery, stating that you will keep the items for a set time such as 7 or 14 days and if she does not collect them they will be disposed of.
Collection of belongings when moving house is classed as essential.

You have more rights with her being a lodger rather than a tenant.

www.lodgerlandlord.co.uk/2010/08/19/dealing-with-lodgers-possessions-that-they-leave-behind/

Nah. Is it your house? Agree, send recorded delivery letter stating she has x number of days to pick up her stuff or you will be forced to dispose of it and possibly charge her for the service.
Check on CAB website or google it, I'm sure you can find a template letter. 14 working days to collect or dispose appropriately.
As dumps are currently closed, you may have to employ a private waste company, which she will be liable for.
cheeky fucker!

There is absolutely no issue for you moving belongings out onto your front step/pavement/driveway and expecting her to collect. You will only come into contact with household items, and so will she (as she's been living with you until now).

She is being a cheeky fucker.

YANBU she's taking the piss. Have you given her back her deposit?

I'd take legal advice about keeping her deposit in lieu of rent as she hasn't moved her belongings out.

Gov.uk website will have the advice about moving home on it, I think it's still allowed?

I’d change the locks if you plan on packing her stuff up, she might retaliate.

Corona virus means she is not being unreasonable. Once lockdown is lifted then it's a different matter. You can't get a new lodger until then anyway.

No, you're not being unreasonable! You need to redecorate for the next tenant. She broke property, she doesn't have a contract, you're not a storage company.

YANBU. I'd say under lockdown circumstances you're prepared to meet half way in a supermarket car park so you can both observe 2m distancing & if she won't do that, you're going to Small Claims Court for rent.

@RedHelenB - why wouldn't she get a new lodger?

I understand the number of people moving is much, much smaller, but the rules do make quite clear allowance for people moving house, so there's no reason to assume no one in the OP's area would need to move.

There’s no problem with keeping social distancing when she comes - I had agreed to go out when she came to collect it , I was assuming that she would come with her BF to help carry it all. She has a LOT of clothes, that’s how she broke the furniture stuffing it full.

There’s a big Ikea Pax wardrobe that’s 2.3 meters high, under her bed is all storage boxes with more clothes, there’s two chests of drawers. She must have hundreds of pounds worth of make up too.

So I know she will come for it at some point. The issue is when.

If she's leaving her stuff there, she needs to still be paying.

I’ve already got a new lodger, she’s signed the contract and paid the deposit.

Give her notice of your intention to dispose of the items after the set period.

'Course you may have trouble as the recycling centres are all closed, but bins and give it away for collection depending on what it is.

I'm sure she'll come get it if you give formal notice .

OP - you’ve had some really crap advice on here, which if you follow may cost you dearly. Follow the link in @Daftodil ‘s post and follow the procedure laid down In the Torts (Interference With Goods) Act.

@RedHelenB

Whether OP is getting a new lodger or not is irrelevant. It is HER house and she has not agreed to store someone else's belongings that take up a whole room she owns!
Coronavirus doesn't mean people should have to act as free storage for others. OP are there any storage places near you? Do you have a garage? Or a mate with an empty garage or outbuilding? You can move the stuff there and if they're in some gross, spider filled, draughty old shed then so be it.
If she doesn't collect within the agreed timeframe (14 days) then you can bin it.

She can post the keys back to you.

If she wants her stuff to have use of your rooms, she needs to pay rent.

It's none of her business what you do with your spare room after her contract has ended. It's not within her gift to let you know what you may do when, in your own home, or to 'manage' you.

Disposal of stuff costs money too. Skips are available but cost £100+

I think tell her she either continues to pay rent (only if you're actually willing to tolerate the continued presence of the stuff), or you'll be placing everything outside (in no particular order) this weekend (check the weather's ok for a couple of days). If not collected, you'll hire and skip and forward her the bill (then to small claims).

OP, Please don't listen to those who are guessing. You could find yourself in VERY expensive trouble as Daftodils link explains. This is also confirmed by Collaborate , who is a lawyer who's been on MN for years .

The law of Torts could see YOU getting sued . Yes I know that's crazy but follow the rules in the link and you will be fine.

I can understand you annoyance but I think you need to get some legal advice first.

For those mentioning the link in Daffodils post, it is great advice however, it is for tenants. Rules are slightly different for lodgers as the landlord still resides in the property. Leaving possessions in a property occupied by someone else means less notice is required.

@Collaborate

OP - you’ve had some really crap advice on here, which if you follow may cost you dearly. Follow the link in @Daftodil ‘s post and follow the procedure laid down In the Torts (Interference With Goods) Act.

Thank you for your advice, but I’m not sure this applies in Scotland ?

Pack it up neatly and leave it outside in rain proof bin bags and then tell it's out there and if it gets stolen it's her problem. I'd even offer to drive it round and leave it on her doorstep.

Those who are saying dump it outside there is no way you'd do that yourself. How awful! You only need a few days to decorate so have some understanding and kindness in a very weird time.

I'm wondering if her boyfriend actually knows 'she's moved in', especially if she just left with a few clothes. Obviously that's definately not your problem OP but perhaps she's dragging her heels waiting on him to offer she stays full time 🤔

How annoying.

If you can't actually make her come then I'd say that you are decorating and will have to dump her possessions in the middle of the room and you won't be held responsible if they get damaged or paint splattered, even the wardrobe contents as you'll need to move the wardrobe.

No way would my plans to redecorate be put on the back burner.