Rubbish!

[lynnellis]

I have had a complaint from the council about the amount of rubbish, including household, supermarket trolleys, big plastic bread carriers, and furniture at the front and mainly rear of our block of flats.

I have asked the tenants repeatedly to remove said items, but get told "not mine - not my responsibility".

Can I "politely" write to them, holding them all jointly responsible and say that if said items not removed by them immediately, I will arrange removal, charge them for the cost and give them all notice to quit, as I am fed up of being the one moving their rubbish all the time. Is this a valid reason for notice to quit?

[Ericthelobster]

If this is a block of flats rather than an individual property, how do you know it's their rubbish? Is it obvious / self-evident and/or can you prove it?

No doubt you know it's theirs; I'm playing Devil's Advocate really - ie, what will the tenants' reaction be?

[P.Pilcher]

I assume all these tenants are on AST's which will expire in due course. Unfortunately, I think it unlikely that you could make any additional charges over and above those already stated and agreed in their ASTs but maybe a strongly worded letter about the cost of removing the rubbish which will be reflected in the rent increase when/if their AST's are renewed. You may also consider serving them with their section 21 notices to show that you mean business. It is then up to them to keep the area surrounding the block clear or report any other individuals fly tipping to the council.

[cnrsoper]

I disagee any well worded agreement allows for the recharging of any damage done by the tenants to the property. Failing to clear the garden of rubbish is in effect damaging the property, therefore you can chanrge the tenant.

also worth noting, for bread baskets and shopping baskets there are freephone numbers you can ring to get them removed free of charge (and they may even be willing to press charges against your tenants for the theft of the items)

[lynnellis]

Thanks for your advice.

Hopefully they will get it cleared without having to go down the eviction route.