Lodgers posessions left behind - offered to store for a few months

[jambo]

Lodger (was a friend) left 7 months ago due to being very holtile and threatening to me.

They ended up being sectioned for mental health reasons that evening and sent them letter of 14 days (reasonable time) to remove property, but afterwards offered to keep them due to his situation.

He is now being disreslectitful and messing me about on arranging collection day (now he's living in a flat alone). I'm going to give official 14 day notice again (reasonable time) and this time stick to it.

Because I've kept them so long do I need to give longer than 14 days?

[R0b]

Hello

14 days in the eyes of the law is generally considered a reasonable amount of time. If you are claiming money owed to you before you gave the notice, then you need to give at least 3 months. Otherwise, if it's simply a case of leaving his possessions then 14 days is fine, particularly given his situation.

I would suggest that you send him a letter or an email to that effect and point out to him that he has messed you around previously so if the goods are not removed by X date, then you will dispose of them.

Be aware that if the goods are valuable you have a duty to ensure you sell them at a reasonable price and the proceeds must be returned to him. If the value is of a nominal value then you should be fine to dispose of them completely, but be careful as he could issue legal proceedings if they did turn out to be valuable.

Other points of consideration is to make an inventory of the goods and attach that list to the letter so there is no dispute. Also prior to disposing of them, you should maybe take a picture of their condition in case he also claims you have damaged them.

There's an example letter and notice in my list of templates on the link below, under 9b. You should adapt it to suit your situation.

[jambo]

Thank you ROB.