Tenants’ Belongings & Torts (Interference with Goods)

Landlords occasionally face situations where tenants leave behind personal belongings as a result of tenants abandoning the property or merely leaving behind their possessions once they have left the property. It is a common misconception that landlords can simply sell or dispose of these items without first taking the correct steps. The tenancy agreement may contain a clause which states the time-frame within which any belongings left at the property may be sold or disposed of.

However, some contracts are silent on this point, therefore the landlord will be required to default to The Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977[1] that governs the proper handling of such goods. Landlords must adhere to the provisions outlined in this Act when managing any abandoned tenant belongings. This legislation provides statutory guidance, and failure to comply can result in landlords being held liable for damages.