Evicted lodger belongings?

Hi Sukhjeet

I wouldn't just put them outside, but do you not have any way of contacting the lodger:
Mobile, Facebook, Work, Friends etc.

However from SpareRoom.com >> https://www.spareroom.co.uk/content/info-landlords/what-to-do-if-your-lodger-leaves-possessions-behind

"If your lodger has left, but not taken all their possessions, you might be wondering what you can do with their things. Do you have a right to dispose of, or even move them?

As the items in question don't belong to you, if the ex-lodger asks for them, you should be in a position to return them. But you don't need to leave them taking up space in your spare room. Especially if you're intending to let it out to someone else. Box the items up for storage, and keep them safe for a while, in case they get back in touch. Of course, if you've had to forcibly evict the lodger, make sure there's someone with you (contacting the police is a good idea) when they arrange to pick their stuff up, to prevent any malicious damage being done.

You can't dispose of the items or sell them unless you've formally asked the rightful owner if they can remove them first. Let them know what you're storing for them, and how long you're intending to wait before getting rid of them (14 days is normal). Ideally you should send this formally by recorded delivery, so that you have a record that it was delivered. Use text or email only for following up on this initial course of action. If you get no response within the time period stated, you can sell or dispose of the items. Why not donate useful items to a local charity shop so that someone in need can benefit?

If you don't have an address for your ex-lodger, and you've failed to get in touch with them you can do what you like with their possessions. It's good advice to instruct a tracing company to track them down on a no trace no fee basis. If they can't trace the lodger, you've got prove they were uncontactable. And keep a careful record of everything you've done, just in case the lodger decides to come back and sue you for compensation."

Try writing to the tennant at your address, they may have asked the Post Office to redirect mail.

Hi Sukhjeet, it seems like she knew that you had called the police, so she disappeared, that means she is likely to come back when may be you are not expecting her, so I would change door locks and that way she will have to phone you to get her things out, you had given her enough notice so she should have made arrangements somewhere else. but for now you must hold on to her belongings and hope for the best that she don't accuse you of anything else, like common assault and or her things missing, so make sure someone is also there when she does come back. Only call the police as a last resort if she came to collect her belongings and won't leave.
mike

Reply to the comment left by "Neil Patterson" at "01/06/2017 - 18:52":

Good advice, I would just add that if you sell the items the former lodger is entitled to the proceeds of sale minus deduction of landlord's costs provided this has been previously agreed in writing. Further information here: http://www.landlordlegalsolutions.co.uk/cms/document/Guide_to_tenants_possessions_left_at_property__LLS_.pdf

Also, although the value may not justify getting a professional inventory done, it's always a good idea to do your own list with a description and photos, with a witness.

Hello. I have a similar situation, only more advanced. My lodger left the room alone after 7 days of living. She looked like a normal person, but it turned out to be very malicious and aggressive. She left home on October 4. From that day on, he doesn't live here anymore. However, she left all her belongings in the room. From October 4, she harassed us with threatening calls and sent messages of threats and intimidation, just remember that she did it herself, claiming that it was not her home and not her room). We have reported harassment to the police, and there is an ongoing investigation for criminal offense. This is to illustrate the situation. Two weeks after moving out, we gave her 7 more days to take her belongings (she did not take them). She asked for a little more time. We keep all contact with her via messages on the phone, so that everything is clear. After these seven days, we gave her an official notification that by November 1 she should take her belongings (she did not do it). On November 4, on the advice of the police, we packed her belongings in the presence of an independent witness and moved everything from room to the porch (now 60% of the porch is pledged with her belongings). All this time, from October 4 until today, she came to collect some trinkets, now that all her belongings are well packed, secured with black bags and put in order (we do not want to sculpt it up and make a mess for us) .... And now my question : Do we have to accept that she wants to take one thing from one of the bags or can we tell her to take it all or nothing.

Reply to the comment left by Kris at 07/11/2020 - 09:53If you've already given your former lodger written notice, with a clear deadline, and that notice stated what would happen to the items if the lodger doesn't comply, then you are entitled to dispose of anything of no value, sell anything that is of value, or simply remove the items to be stored elsewhere.
Bear in mind though, if you sell, the lodger is entitled to the sale proceeds, minus any expenses you've incurred (for storage, packing, transport, sale etc) unless you have a prior written agreement for you to keep items left after the tenancy or to the proceeds of sale.
If there is nothing to say you, the landlord, are entitled to keep the goods or the monetary value, unfortunately your lodger is still entitled to sale proceeds even if they owe you money (for example, arrears or repair costs).
Provided you've done as above, then it goes without saying you can insist she takes all or nothing, as she's had more than ample warning as required by law.
There's a good solicitor's article here https://www.clarkslegal.com/Blog/Post/Involuntary_bailees_how_do_I_get_rid_of_possessions_left_in_a_property

Reply to the comment left by Mandy Thomson at 07/11/2020 - 10:53
Thank you so much, Mandy, for your comment. He helped me a lot, I am grateful