Furniture Problem

Tenants of approx. 3 years recently informed me that they had got a present of a 3 piece suite and would like to replace the existing 3 piece suite which was supplied with the house. This old 3 piece suite is about 8 years old but in very good condition. The replacement suite would be newer and probably more comfortable.


We agreed between us to store the old suite in box bedroom in house, which was not being used at the time. It has been there for the last 2 months. I was then recently asked by the tenant would I move out the old suite from the box bedroom as they would like to set up a computer and various ancillary equipment in this room.

This is certainly a reasonable request, but my problem is that I have no place to store the original suite of furniture. I don't want to dump or sell the original suite because once the tenants leave I will have to replace this furniture.

I am wondering if anyone could suggest a fair solution to this problem so that I wouldn't be out of pocket and the tenants will be happy.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Well they got a present so the new suite cost them nothing.

They should understand where you are coming from.

You have to store the furniture somewhere because of them, so get them to sort it out!

The tenants' solution might well involve finding a more accommodating landlord.

Does the landlord have any young first-time-buyers in his circle that would leap at the chance of a long-term loan of some furniture?

Get caught with this alot. Always have to accommodate this request, have two suite frames in my garage with the cushions wrapped and tucked up in the attic.
If you have acccess to a garage then your'e on your way !

Many thanks for replies. My problem is that I don't have any offsite storage such as a garage available to me.

What the contract say in terms of the house coming furnished or unfurnished? If furnished would it not be up to them to store it. Would the be willing to leave the couch they got in the house at the end of their tenancy and could you get this in writing? I know it makes sense to make a deal with them but even if they were to move they would have this same problem from day one with another landlord.
Is there a shed at the back of the house you could use and perhaps put cushions part well wrapped in the attic?

Contract says house comes fully furnished. Good idea to see if tenants are willing to swap their suite in lieu of old suite once they leave. I will check this out with them.

Hopefully we can come to some suitable arrangement.

niceoneted said:

Would the be willing to leave the couch they got in the house at the end of their tenancy and could you get this in writing?

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Mojos said:

Good idea to see if tenants are willing to swap their suite in lieu of old suite once they leave.

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Very unlikely this will work. They are probably 'nesting', starting to build up their own stuff in anticipation of getting their own house.

If you think they are likely to stay long term (and being tenants of 3 years they may well do), I think you should accommodate them and flog your own suite, buying another suite second hand when they vacate. If you look at adverts or buy and sell, you will see that you can sell/buy a decent second hand suite for a couple of hundred euro.

This is a tricky situation as you can understand where both parties are coming from. On one hand we have a landlord who simply doesnt have the storage. On the other hand theres nothing wrong with the tenants wanting to buy a new suite. However in the contract it stated fully furnished which means the suite has a right to be there (if that makes sense!)
My suggestions are
1) ask them to purchase the suite from you, let them do what they want with it, and use the money to buy a new suite when they vacant.
2) ask them could they store the suite for you until they move

The

An earlier post that i read that you seemed to agree with about swapping your suite for theirs when they leave is a bad idea because it doesnt solve the problem, the suite will still be in the box room untill they leave. They should understand that you are trying to be fair and that you simply have no place to store it. Also remember that they did agree to store it and then changed their mind which wasnt very fair as an agreement was made. Maybe they have a garage at their home or something! As i said its a very tricky situation (people could get angry!) but just rememer its still your house and your furniture!
WHEH!

rascal14 said:

but just rememer its still your house and your furniture!

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Or remember that its a tenants market and alienating good long term tenants who seem to feel at home over an ancient set of furniture could cost you a lot more in the long run than you imagine.
It may be your house but it is their home.

Had exectly the same thing happen to me. In my case my furniture was getting on and was showing its age. I knew I'd have to replace soon so let them move their's in. I binned mine and will probably try to buy the suite from the tenants (it's nice) if/when they leave, though I hope they are long termers tbh and they say they are. I've done all I can to accomodate them as they look after my property better than I did when I lived in it! Very houseproud and I'm lucky to have them.

rascal14 said:

Maybe they have a garage at their home or something!

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The house they are renting IS their home.