What to do about former friend's property in my flat?

[regthetabbycat]

A friend was planning on leaving her husband without letting him know before the day she actually moved. She had bought some things and I said she could store them in my (small) flat until she found somewhere to live.

For various reasons she has broken off all contact with me and hasn't collected her belongings. I have reason to think she has left the area.

What should I do with her stuff? I'm tempted to sell it and donate the money to charity but don't want to find myself accused of theft! How long is reasonable to keep it?

I have kept the unanswered texts as proof I asked her to collect it.

I would keep it or drive it 40 minutes to Humberside and leave it at a family members house.

Presumably if she had fled to your house you would have spent longer than the couple of hours and more money than the tank of petrol that this will take.

@RootDeToot

I would keep it or drive it 40 minutes to Humberside and leave it at a family members house.

Presumably if she had fled to your house you would have spent longer than the couple of hours and more money than the tank of petrol that this will take.

I don't drive and have no idea where any of her family live (apart from they're on Humberside)

And how long do I keep it? I rely on a wheelchair to get around and this stuff is in my way. I was reluctant to take it for that reason but agreed 'for a short time'.

In fairness I didn't have any of that information. She must be a close friend for you both to have come up with this plan.

If you can't keep it and you can't get it to her or a relative then you are going to have to throw it out. There doesn't seem to be another option.

In the space of three weeks you went from storing her stuff to having a fall out so big she has dropped all contact with you? That must have been quite an argument.

I'd just give it away. If it's only old sheets and a clock and she isn't replying to messages, get rid.
Someone suggesting she might sue you is utterly deluded.

I would be calling the police to ensure they are safe

I would send a message saying you need it gone by X date (I’d give it 2 more weeks) and say you’re not able to keep any of the stuff for any longer and if you don’t hear from her by that date you’ll have to get rid of it.

The trouble is you said she can keep them there but didn’t say how long for.
Do you think she may have lost her phone?

OP you seem reluctant to address the posts that suggest your friend is in danger, why?

@TwoPaperAirplanes

OP you seem reluctant to address the posts that suggest your friend is in danger, why?

Because the final argument was about the fact that she laughed about using a domestic violence charity (Idas) to get a place in a hostel and 'pulled the wool over everyone's eyes'.

I have contacted the police overnight. She is safe and well. She has told all her local friends to fuck off and leave her alone.

So I will.

There you go then. You can get rid of it.

I can't believe that someone would be so desperate to leave a relationship where there wasn't abuse that they would sneak possessions to a friends house and then lie to get a place in a hostel.

She's probably pushing people away because she's embarrassed. That's quite a common way of dealing with leaving these relationships.

But regardless a TV cabinet is no doubt the least of her concerns at the moment. And your friendship is over anyway.

The stuff was delivered from a company? Can you ring them , explain the situation and see if you can send it back and they refund the lady?

I would see whether a women's shelter wanted the items and if not I'd give them to a charity shop.

If she's not in touch with friends in the area then she won't come back just for those things.

The stuff was delivered from a company? Can you ring them , explain the situation and see if you can send it back and they refund the lady?

Good idea. Try and get a refund for it first if it’s all unopened.

I would send her one last message to warn her you will be donating all items to charity unless she collects by x date.
If they are all packed up you can call some charities (salvation army etc) who will collect from yours. Easier than selling yourself and for a good cause.