Latest Property News around Barry, Cardiff
Sex toys top list of items tenants leave behind
Sexy toys are the number one item left behind by departing tenants, according to a new survey by The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS).
The research revealed the array of unusual items that people leave behind, which are discovered by surprised landlords as they clean up.
Other bizarre items left behind included a milk bottle filled with blood, dead bodies, a false eye, blow-up dolls, illegal immigrants, a ‘knicker tree’ of female conquests and handcuffs chained to a wall.
Kevin Firth, client services director at The DPS said “More than 1000 landlords across the UK were keen to talk to us about the items that their tenants had left behind, which certainly reinforces the message of selecting the right renters from the very start of the lease.”
He added: “Cleaning up after tenants who have made a hasty exit is an unfortunate part of the landlord's lot.
“One landlord who found a false eye, threw it away thinking it was a joke, only to have the tenant phone asking if it had been found,” explained Firth.
“Three landlords even told us they found a dead body on their properties, while another found an urn containing ashes and then received a call from the tenant asking for her husband back.
“It makes you wonder if Britons are just incredibly forgetful, or whether there are some exhibitionists who want all this stuff to be found.”
The DPS also noted a trend in the number of animals left by tenants once they've moved on.
“Animals both dead and alive were commonly abandoned by outgoing tenants: cats, rats, hedgehogs, rabbits, turtles and goldfish were regularly mentioned.
One landlord even told us they received a 'welcoming present' from their outgoing tenants - a kipper in an airing cupboard,” Firth said.
“We encourage tenants to vacate and leave the premises in the same condition in which they found it, to ensure there is no issue in securing the return of their deposit."
“However, just as there are rogue tenants, there are also rogue landlords and The DPS helps protect against both through its fast, free and secure deposit protection service."
“We are ideally positioned to help both parties to the rental agreement to ensure that if the property is not left as found, an amicable result is more achievable either through mediation or use of our free dispute resolution service."
According to the survey, the top 10 leave-behinds are:
1. Sex toys
2. Rubbish
3. Decomposing food items
4. Furniture and domestic appliances
5. Cats
6. Condoms
7. Cannabis plants
8. Soiled nappies
9. Dead animals
10.Pornographic material
