Return of Tenant's Virgin Media Set-top Box

[romeogolf]

I had tenants move out of the flat I rented to them last weekend (27th May). Today they emailed me to say that Virgin Media were sending a package to the property to pack the router/set-top box in to and return it to Virgin.

I threw the set-top box and router away as they were left at the property after it was vacated.

I've not yet refunded their deposit, although am shortly going to do so.

Just wondering if anyone has any advice on this.

• Should I tell the tenants the item was thrown out?
• Will I be liable for any costs of the box if it was me who threw it out?
• Should I hold on to the deposit for this, or just refund it and let Virgin know that it's not my box?
• A new tenant is moving in on Saturday (3rd) - Will this affect his ability to get a Virgin package?

Never had this situation before, the property wasn't Virgin-media connected until earlier this year and BT operate a different system I think.

[carreauchompeur]

Shouldn't be your issue really, I imagine in the case of any problems Virgin would bill the tenant. You're not their account holder.

[Al U]

I was a tenant in a flat this time last year. I cancelled my virgin in time so that I received the box and took it all with me when we moved out.

I think your tenant should have done the same and it's a bit cheeky for them to ask you to disconnect it all, pack it up and then take it to one of the shops that processes the return.

I would just say that it was thrown away when clearing the place, more fool them for leaving it there really. Virgin make it quite clear when you enquire about cancelling that there will be a charge to pay if the boxes are not returned.

[herewego]

I would not have thrown out someone else's property without checking with them first.

[romeogolf]

herewego said:

I would not have thrown out someone else's property without checking with them first.

Even when said person was a tenant in a property which has been vacated?

[NickColl89]

herewego said:

I would not have thrown out someone else's property without checking with them first.

Seriously? There adults, what if the OP has 10-15 properties? Do you expect him to ring around every tenant asking them about every piece of property they have left behind?

[herewego]

romeogolf said:

herewego said:

I would not have thrown out someone else's property without checking with them first.

Even when said person was a tenant in a property which has been vacated?

Yes, I'm not sure the circumstances are relevant, if it's not mine then I'm not throwing it away without checking first.

[Red Devil]

romeogolf said:

I had tenants move out of the flat I rented to them last weekend (27th May). Today they emailed me to say that Virgin Media were sending a package to the property to pack the router/set-top box in to and return it to Virgin.

I threw the set-top box and router away as they were left at the property after it was vacated.

I've not yet refunded their deposit, although am shortly going to do so.

Just wondering if anyone has any advice on this.

• Should I tell the tenants the item was thrown out?
• Will I be liable for any costs of the box if it was me who threw it out?
• Should I hold on to the deposit for this, or just refund it and let Virgin know that it's not my box?
• A new tenant is moving in on Saturday (3rd) - Will this affect his ability to get a Virgin package?

Never had this situation before, the property wasn't Virgin-media connected until earlier this year and BT operate a different system I think.

If you don't tell them, that will simply prompt further questions as to what happened to it.

Re the bits in bold. Disposal without any prior notification was an error on your part. You're on the hook I'm afraid.
http://www.landlordlawblog.co.uk/2010/04/27/landlo...

You could try dening the box was left behind but that's depends on your conscience.
It could come back to bite you if the tenant decides to issue a money claim.

Withholding the deposit would simply dig you an even deeper hole.
The router/set top box is irrelevant as far as that is concerned.

Why would the ex-tenant's contract with Virgin have any relevance for the new tenant?

[elanfan]

Your answer should be What set top box

[Saleen836]

elanfan said:

Your answer should be What set top box

Or worse case have a look on eBay as there are normally set top boxes for sale on there

[R8Steve]

Or you could say you've packaged it up and put it in the post, all kinds of things go missing in the post...

[berlintaxi]

NickColl89 said:

herewego said:

I would not have thrown out someone else's property without checking with them first.

Seriously? There adults, what if the OP has 10-15 properties? Do you expect him to ring around every tenant asking them about every piece of property they have left behind?

Why not, I doubt they would all be moving on the same day, so hardly onerous.

[xjay1337]

R8Steve said:

Or you could say you've packaged it up and put it in the post, all kinds of things go missing in the post...

Or, you know, just be honest?

I'm sure it wouldn't come to more than £100 or so anyway for a replacement box/router.

Get a price from Virgin Media directly and refund them the difference. Especially if they were good tenants.

[QuickQuack]

berlintaxi said:

NickColl89 said:

herewego said:

I would not have thrown out someone else's property without checking with them first.

Seriously? There adults, what if the OP has 10-15 properties? Do you expect him to ring around every tenant asking them about every piece of property they have left behind?

Why not, I doubt they would all be moving on the same day, so hardly onerous.

Because when you move out, it's the your responsibility to take any of your personal belongings. Anything you leave behind is liable to be chucked especially as most places will either be reoccupied again within a day or two, or will need to be emptied for redecoration so anything which doesn't belong to the property is chucked away.

[Wings]

elanfan said:

Your answer should be What set top box

^^^^^^Agree, What set top box, after 30 years of being a landlord the number of set top boxes, TVs, vacuum cleaners, furniture left behind by departing tenants, onus always on departing tenant to leave property vacant of their property.

[smac]

I had a similar situation. Tenant moved out leaving the box. Virgin told them they would have to pay for it if it was not returned. The tenant was miles away and as they'd been ok with me I agreed Id collect the box and deliver it to the Virgin shop which I did. Guy behind the counter said I shouldnt have bothered as they would just bin it and they dont follow it up. Forget about it.

[divetheworld]

Regardless of what anyone's opinion above may be, you are an involuntary bailee.
You bin it without following the crappy law, you pay for it.

https://www.out-law.com/topics/property/investment...

[creampuff]

What box?

[Somewhatfoolish]

Do the right thing, let the former tenants know and if you end up out of pocket for a couple of quid then so be it, at least you sleep easy at night.

[ScoobyChris]

smac said:

I had a similar situation. Tenant moved out leaving the box. Virgin told them they would have to pay for it if it was not returned. The tenant was miles away and as they'd been ok with me I agreed Id collect the box and deliver it to the Virgin shop which I did. Guy behind the counter said I shouldnt have bothered as they would just bin it and they dont follow it up. Forget about it.

When we were tenants we contacted Virgin who made a big fuss about the equipment needing to be returned to them and that we'd be billed if it wasn't returned to them. We duly arranged a time and date for them to collect it ... and they didn't show up. Twice. And the weird thing was when we took out a new contract at our next place with them and told them we already had a Tivo and router, they insisted on replacing it when they installed the new line anyway.

Chris