How long is too long? Friends taking advantage?

[bouncebb]

2 years ago some friends of ours were evicted and had to find a new home, they asked if we could store some of their things while they moved as there wasn’t room for it in their new place which was temporary accommodation.
They have since moves a couple of times and have a long term tenancy which as far as I gather from them has no end date at the moment so is their home for the foreseeable.
I say friends lightly because we met them in the school playground as our children were friends and went on a couple of play dates but as the years went by our children have gravitated towards other friends and don’t really play together anymore so we don’t see this couple socially anymore anyway so at most we say Hi and Bye at the school gate.
We have mentioned the stuff we have of theirs every few months and they always say oh yes we forgot about that and promise to arrange to collect it but never do.

We are trying to move house ourselves at the moment so are having people come to view and could do without their belongings cluttering up our bedroom as things like coffee table wouldn’t fit through the loft hatch.

I can’t take them to their house as some items are heavy and wouldn’t fit in my small car.
AIBU to feel they taking advantage of us especially as we are not really in touch anymore or am I just being petty knowing they haven’t really got room for it.
They have no intention of moving any time soon as their tenancy is long term.

Seriously?
Just tell them to collect them or you will have to dispose. If they dont have room they can hire storage

Hi pal. We are putting our house on the market so we really need your stuff gone by end of next week. If you are not able to collect it by then we will have to get rid of it. We simply can't store it any more. Thanks

You need to tell them what you’ve told us. It’s perfectly reasonable! You need your space back to show your home.
It doesn’t sound like it matters if you burn any bridges so give them a date to collect it by, otherwise you’ll need to leave it outside for them.

Send them a message explaining you’re getting the house ready to sell and setting a date you need their stuff collected. If they don’t respond or turn up send them one more message that in 24 hours it’s all going on marketplace/tip/charity shop. Then do it.

I would take everything you can fit in your car and leave it on their doorstep. That would be a start. Tell them what time you are coming so they can be home, or if they choose not to be, they were warned of your arrival

They’re taking huge advantage of your kindness Op. Quick text or conversation that they collect or you’ll be disposing of it .

Give them a few days notice and inform their will be going to the tip if uncollected. They obviously don't have a need or want for these items.

We are moving house and have clearance people coming next week so if you still want your stuff collect it by xxx.

At the moment it's easier for them to leave the stuff with you. You need to be a squeaky enough wheel to make moving it worth their while. Give them a shortish deadline and hold them to it.

No good deed goes unpunished, and all that.

Ask them if they still want their things- if yes come and get them before x date (2 weeks max) or we will donate it to charity. Don't give any reason/excuses. They know they are being cheeky fuckers and you just have to show them that you are no longer willing to be a mug.

2 years??!! Not even good friends?! Is there more to this OP because this is a bit bonkers.... kindly, I think you need to get more assertive and do what's best for you rather than what's best for others.

Just tell them you’re taking it to the tip this weekend if not collected before friday. Who cares if you upset them, you’re not even friends!

Message them again and say they need to collect it by x date, else it’s going to the charity shop.

YABU not to have sorted this sooner. It's ridiculous, you tell them to come and pick up their stuff and that's it.
You need to do this asap, as if they don't you'll have to take the legal route which is to send them a letter before action, and then make an attempt to sell their belongings (and send the profit of the sale). This could take ages!

Genuinely OP…what are you like with really difficult life issues? If this relatively simple one is this difficult for you?

Just tell them to collect it or you will get rid of it…it’s really not that hard!! 🤦‍♀️🤯😵‍💫

This. Are you mad ?

You have their shit cluttering up your house (I thought you meant the garage at first) but their stuff is in your house.

Absolutely not.

You've got to get tough now. They collect by a certain date or it all goes (do you have the charity shops that collect where you are ?)
X

Do they do the school run by car? Maybe take something every day to hand over at the school gates. Will be annoying for you but also hopefully annoying/embarrassing enough for them that they come and fetch the rest of their crap!

You are being a complete an utter mug. Give them one month (so one payday) before you get rid of it all.

Just say please can we arrange a concrete date you can come and get your stuff, we are putting the house on the market and need everything cleared asap.

Ohh I love this idea 😂😂

Rock up to school every morning and afternoon with another pile of their shit…and just dump it next to them (or their car). 🤣

I would not be saying you'll take the stuff to the tip if they do not collect. Clearly they don't want the items so that's solving the problem for them. You would need to pack it all into your car to go to the tip so I would instead take it to their doorstep. Give them a few days notice to collect it by; if they haven't leave it outside their house.

Where do they live? Can you dump it all on their doorstep? I mean message first saying you need it gone within a week as your house is going on the market.

Dear Friend,

We are excited to be moving house. As you know we still have your possessions stored.

Please remove them before our viewings start on 1st of July. They would fit in a 6x4 trailer. Phone Mr Boucebb on 8888888 to arrange a suitable time to access the house. (Usually any evening after 6 and some weekends.)

Thanks, love to all.
Boucebb from year 2000.
Address - still at - Xxxx..

An official text and making sure muscles are available.
Send again if they don't respond within three days.
If they can't come tell them to hire Man with a Van ph xxxxxxx to collect and drive to their place or to the tip or local thrift shop, their choice but must be collected by the 1st July.

You're going to have to grow a spine and be firm.

Tell them you are selling the house and need them out. Give them a date and tell them if they don't move it they will be left outside to collect or you'll ask a charity to come pick them all up.

I wouldn’t be giving them any reason to leave you with the stuff by saying YOU will dispose of it if they don’t collect it. They are quite likely to decide that would be great thanks. They are managing fine without it.