Moved into short term rental - flat is FULL of landlord's stuff, what to do???

[Lottapianos]

I am absolutely livid and would really value some cool-headed advice. DP and I are between properties (long story) and have had to take a short term rented flat until mid Jan. This is costing us five hundred pounds a week.

We arrived at the flat last Thursday as arranged, to find that the flat is full of the landlady's stuff. The fridge and freezer were full, the kitchen cupboards were full of food, the bathroom cabinets were full of toiletries, medication etc, the shelves in the living room were full of books etc and there is a frigging bike parked in the (very narrow) hallway!

We got straight onto the letting agents who said they were told by LL that all that stuff would be shifted prior to our moving in. Well it wasn't. We've spent all weekend living out of boxes as we can't unpack properly. We are both stressed out of our minds as it is, this is driving us utterly crackers.

And the latest is that she is prepared to come round and shift her stuff, but 'can't' do it until next Tuesday. That's a whole other week of tip-toeing around someone else's stuff. The cheeky cow. I've told letting agents that no, that is not acceptable. We have already chucked out all the food we don't want, but I really don't think we can chuck books and a bike. And frankly I've done quite enough of cleaning out someone else's flat already

We have paid all the rent upfront so have nothing to withold. What do we do next???? At our wits' end.

Thanks for advice in advance

Was any of it on the inventory? If not, stick it all outside the door and inform the landlady that that's where it is.

take detailed photos
write a very detailed list of what's there
wait and see how your rental turns out
you might have some needs at the end of the term (eg extra time that you haven't yet paid for) which you can off set, or you could sue for rent back if it became absolutely necessary.

DO NOT put it outside, you have a legal duty to take reasonable care of someone's stuff as an involuntary bailee, for a 'reasonable time', and a week or so is likely to be regarded as reasonable.

I don't mean it's reasonable for her to have done this, just that the extent of your legal responsibilities is for a 'reasonable' amount of time.

Haven't even had a damn inventory hettienne, that's how utterly crap the whole thing has been

Thanks iheartdusty, I wouldn't put anything on the street, apart from food which we have chucked out. We will be taking photos today and emailing them to the letting agent

Many short term rentals are occupied by the owners, and they just go on holiday when the property is let, which basically means they just pack their suitcases and leave. They reckon guests will be on holiday, or for a short term work placement, or doing a refurb to their own home. They dont expect guests to need to unpack or bring any boxes/furniture.

Was there an actual agency, or did you find the property online and dealt with the landlady direct? How long is your rental for?

Oh, I see. Mid jan and a letting agent.

How bizarre.

Could you get it all packed up by a removals company, and deduct the cost from your rent?

Put all their stuff in boxes - don't bother to do it neatly or anything just chuck it all in. Then pile boxes up somewhere, so you can move your stuff in.

Headless, I would but it's a one bed flat and we have nowhere to store it when it's boxed up

DP has now written a shitty email to the letting agents telling them that they need to sort it out if the landlady can't - will see what the response is

Why should this be our problem?! We are paying a flaming arm and a leg for a property which isn't all that - the least I would have expected would be to have adequate space.

What does the contract say in regards to this?

Take it round to the letting agents? Not much help, but having just signed off from dealing with crappy agents and landlord you have my sympathy.

frigging bike parked in the (very narrow) hallway! LOL ejeje, I’m just amused with people sometimes. And we are talking about the landlord))) He is not an experienced one. I’ll recommend you to find some boxes and to put all the books and things in them (when the landlord comes you’ll give him his boxes) and put your staff where you want. Remember that from the day you entered the apartment and paid for it, you can put your things in the wardrobe and don’t wait until you landlord comes. Tell him that you’ve spent so much of you FREE time doing it that you need some compensation, as you landlord also needs to follow the contract rules. Take photos of the staff and save them on your computer.