To ask for this

[HerrenaHarridan]

Background
I live in a private rent through agency. The landlord stores stuff in the attic and it is locked. The landlord also stores stuff in garage using about 50% (they tried to use about 90% after signing a lease saying 50% but I insisted so they spent about 20 mins rearranging stuff and hey presto)

3 months later I get a call from agency saying landlord wants to swap attic for my half of garage.

I haven't seen attic so have no idea what the space is like but I do know it would be no good for storing garden toys and my tumble drier ( no space for it in house )

So how about this offer

They can have 90% of garage the already existing partition can be easily moved and we can have deprecate access.

I want them to install a thermostat to control the heating in return for which I will use my entitlement (dare I use that word on here?) to the Scottish warm homes scheme to have the vacated loft insulated ( before I can put anything in it) and cavity wall insulation.

And I still want the rent reduction (pushing it?)

[somewhereaclockisticking]

you can try - I'm surprised that you're paying rent and still allowing landlord to store his crap there! You can't rent out a property and then say but hey you can only have half a house because I still have my things there!

[Booyhoo]

i think they're getting a bloody good deal if you agree to them having 90% of the garage and getting their roofspace insulated for free!

[Booyhoo]

and if you do agree to it, you should definitely get a rent reduction. insist on no change of storage arrangement unless you have written agreement of reduction in rent.

[GeneHuntsMistress]

Sorry I can't help you - although my motto is don't ask, don't get! Always worth a try, the worst thing that can happen is that they say no.

But reading your post made me think there is no way I would have anyone store anything in a property I'm living in without seeing it first. It could be anything! Illegal or dangerous or just....I dunno, I just would want to see with my own eyes first!

[HerrenaHarridan]

I know it is very off IMO, rent the house but not the associated storage. Very annoying, it's not like its inundated with cupboards!

I can see the stuff the the garage but like I said never seen the attic.

It's all on one level so the loft insulation would cut my heating bill by approx 65% according to the energy trust.

Your right about getting it in writing, the agency called me so no paper trail. I will email them an edited version of above so that there is records

[Booyhoo]

also, bear in mind that there is a reason they want to move teh stuff to teh garage. they want to be able to access it, probably regularly and probably without having to consult disturb you. this wouldn't be an issue for me if i didn't have any of my own stuff in teh garage and they were using 100% of it because then i would just have the agreement changed to say i wasn't renting teh garage and have teh rent reduced accordingly. however as you are still renting part of teh garage and you have property in there your stuff will be available to whoever has teh key for teh garage and whoever that person gives a key to. also. if the stuff is in any way dodgy, the fact that you are the official tenant of teh garage could cause problems if police become involved. think carefully about this.

[HerrenaHarridan]

Hmm.

That's true I hadn't thought of that. I wouldn't have any thing worth stealing in there. An old tumble drier that you have to kick start and a bunch of kids garden toys.

But the issue of being held responsible for stolen property being stored in there or something. Unless the partition is secured from both sides. Hmm

[Booyhoo]

yes it is definitely worth thinking it through and also maybe finding out exactly what rights/responsibilities you would have if it were to end up being a dodgy thing.

personally i would prefer to have no connection with the garage if they are going to be using 90% of it. would it be possible to buy a small garden shed for teh kids toys and have the TD in teh house?

[coughingbean]

Definitely ask but bear in mind you may have to reach some kind of compromise.
maybe be cheeky and ask for more than you want so you end up with what you actually wanted IFSWIM

[HerrenaHarridan]

That low and underhand tactic is a great idea!

Shed is sort of a possibility, I actually have one stored. The problem is it would require a foundation to be built and would have to be built on driveway. Definitely no where in house for td.

I think I'll post in legal and see I'd I can rig the set up so I can't be held responsible for any thing they might do. Especially since we're already sharing the garage!

[Booyhoo]

yes i would definitely see if there is a way to do it without you being responsible for what is being stored there. also, find out if it means the LL will be calling at all sorts of random unannounced times and dates to put stuff in/take it out of the garage. and do they need to access your house or garden to get into the garage? if so i think they'll still have to provide you the 24hours notice but i could be wrong so repost in legal and see what way the land lies.