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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Binning Someone Else’s Shit in My Garage

85 replies

ConcreteUnderpants · 28/06/2020 17:28

I have a garage not attached to my house (in a row of garages around the corner) that I lent out.

The terms were that he could keep his stuff there and instead of rent, he would fix the roof. He would also put a new lock on it as I’d lost the key and let me keep a couple of things of mine in there (that were already in the garage).

A year and a half on, I finally need the garage myself and have enough money to do the roof myself as I can see that he hasn’t done it. Had to break in myself as he didn’t give me a key to the new lock (haven’t seen him since I first let him have the garage).

It is full of his shit. Apparently (from a man I saw opening his own garage a few doors up), he visits it every few weeks.
Not sure what to do. I am assuming that the stuff in there now belongs to me. It is worth a fair bit (car parts and tools etc) but I don’t want the hassle and expense of getting a skip and clearing it out. Do I leave a note on the door saying you have 2 weeks to clear all your shit out before I bin/ sell it? Do I ‘accidentally’ leave the door open and hope it gets nicked? Advice welcome please.

Basically AIBU to give him a fortnight to empty it and then chuck it if not? I am a bit scared of reprisals if I do this.
I need the storage in a few weeks.

OP posts:
LIZS · 28/06/2020 17:30

You need to give him notice that you want the space back. You cannot sell or bin without giving him reasonable opportunities to collect it.

Original poster
ConcreteUnderpants · 28/06/2020 17:32

So you think a note advising him of my intentions in a fortnight is not enough time?

OP posts:
StormzyInaDCup · 28/06/2020 17:33

Considering you've left it so long, why the rush now? Give him a fair amount of warning and please don't leave the garage open. It's nasty to hope his belongings get stolen!

TheMandalorian · 28/06/2020 17:33

Surely you have the chaps contact details. Send him a message he has 2weeks notice to clear it out. Why so confrontational?

Thisismytimetoshine · 28/06/2020 17:35

Why on earth would you assume the stuff being stored now belongs to you?! It doesn't, and if you facilitate it being stolen you would be liable for it's replacement.
Just ask him to move it; like a grownup...

Original poster
ConcreteUnderpants · 28/06/2020 17:36

No I don’t have his contact detail. He lived on the corner at the time, and worked with one of my neighbours, so that was enough for me. He then moved and stopped working with my neighbour (apparently stealing about £500 worth of tools) so I have no way of contacting him.

The rush now is that I need it and I’m pissed off that he has been using my garage, rent free, not done the repairs agreed, not given me the key and fucked off.

OP posts:
Thisismytimetoshine · 28/06/2020 17:37

Leave a note on the door.

Nicketynac · 28/06/2020 17:39

Maybe let the neighbour in and search for the missing tools?

Original poster
ConcreteUnderpants · 28/06/2020 17:40

The note is what I have said. I’m not just going to bin his stuff without warning! I’m not a total arsehole; I’m just pissed as I feel I was nice and basically did him a favour and let him have it for free and he’s taken advantage. I couldn’t even get to my own stuff!

That’s why I’m asking, AIBU to put a note of 2 weeks on the garage door, and then if not emptied, empty it myself?

OP posts:
MeridianB · 28/06/2020 17:41

Leave a note, arrange to meet and make sure the neighbour he robbed is there to welcome him, too.

StormzyInaDCup · 28/06/2020 17:41

But it's been a year and a half already? It just doesn't make sense why you'd be so confrontational about this, after all this time. Surely you'd have told him to get his stuff out after he allegedly stole from your neighbours?

Regardless, he will come knocking when he realises you've changed the locks. Have a conversation with him, like an adult, when he does.

Osirus · 28/06/2020 17:44

I don’t know why you think the stuff now belongs to you, that’s an odd assumption.

Notupforit · 28/06/2020 17:54

This stuff obviously does not belong to you - what a very odd thing to assume. You've got yourself into a right pickle here. You need a court order. You agreed he could keep his things there if he changed the lock and repaired the roof. No time limit to repair the roof so as long as he does it before he chooses to leave, he hasn't breached any contract. Legally, I think you'd really struggle to kick him out.

mumwon · 28/06/2020 17:58

hmm unofficial - does it occur to you that if you change lock after breaking in so could he? & why didn't you sort this out after he stole from your neighbour? Get your neighbour to check if any tools are his first though! Those I think you can take leaving a note inside stating you have done so but did your neighbour report this theft to the police & if so why didn't you get the police to check your garage?
Odd

lyralalala · 28/06/2020 18:03

2 weeks during lockdown/partial-lockdown when you know he only visits every few weeks isn't enough time.

You need to give him time to find your note, then make arrangements to move his stuff.

ItsNotAGameOfSubbuteoMatthew · 28/06/2020 18:05

You need to give him a month at least I would say.

mumwon · 28/06/2020 18:08

I would leave a note on garage door (in waterproof cover with date & photo with phone as evidence) stating that as he has not fulfilled his contract in lieu of payment ie work on roof, you are giving his notice to quit of one month (!!) to clear the garage - after this time you will dispose of contents

mumwon · 28/06/2020 18:10

if you don't do this properly you could be accused of theft!!!!

Collaborate · 28/06/2020 18:11

the "reprisal" you're worried about might be a criminal conviction.

To legally dispose of his stuff you need to follow the guidance set out in s12 of the Torts (interference with Goods) Act 1977 www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1977/32. If you want guidance just google the act and look on google and include the word "landlord" and you'll find loads of advice.

AlwaysCheddar · 28/06/2020 18:13

Put another padlock on to stop him using garage with a note to call you to discuss emptying the garage. Give him 14 days.

MrsMcCarthysFamousScones · 28/06/2020 18:17

So you think a note advising him of my intentions in a fortnight is not enough time?

The guy with the garage a few doors up said he is there every few weeks so sticking a note there saying a fortnight, when he might not turn up for 3 weeks, isn’t much notice -during a pandemic- to make alternative arrangements. I get that it’s your space but why didn’t you leave a note asking him to contact you at any point during the last 18 months, especially as you can see he hasn’t done the roof? Also, if you now have the key to the new lock how is he going to get in and even see the note?

mencken · 28/06/2020 18:27

I'm glad your title wasn't literal....

you are now an involuntary bailee, lucky you. There are procedures you have to crawl through. You will almost certainly end up paying for disposal.

GladAllOver · 28/06/2020 18:31

I would certainly let the guy who had tools stolen have a look in there to see if he recognises anything.

Ellmau · 28/06/2020 18:33

Any chance these are stolen goods? Report to police?

OpenWheelRace · 28/06/2020 18:35

I'm disappointed. I thought you had a garage full of literal shit.