A Turning Point for Tenants and Homes Across the West Midlands

by | Jun 28, 2025

In late May, Living Concepts was appointed as the managing agent for a substantial portfolio of over 393 tenants across supported accommodation properties in the West Midlands. While this marks an exciting milestone for our organisation, it has also presented one of the most emotionally charged and complex challenges we’ve ever undertaken. 

From the moment we stepped in, our team was met with a sobering reality: a widespread neglect of both properties and the vulnerable individuals living within them.

Many of these tenants are people with high-priority needs: individuals battling mental health conditions, recovering from trauma, or navigating life after devastating times. The neglect they’ve experienced has not just been physical – it’s been deeply human. 

We’ve listened to stories of lost dignity, hopelessness, and desperation. We’ve been a sounding board for those on the brink, completely overwhelmed by years of being unseen and unheard. But rather than shy away, our team leaned in. 

Door-to-Door: Building Trust from the Ground Up

The first step was personal. Our dedicated team began going door to door, introducing ourselves, providing transitional documentation, and collecting vital information on occupants. Every property was logged, every tenant that was present, heard. We took photographs, listened to stories, and began mapping out the scale of maintenance needed — fom cracked ceilings and leaks to infestations and electrical failures. 

Emergency Response Mode

We swiftly moved into triage mode, prioritising emergencies — no heating, no hot water or electricity, active leaks, and severe rodent infestations. Thanks to the unwavering commitment of our team, nearly all of these critical issues have already been resolved in just a few short weeks. The remaining cases are in motion, pending more extensive investigation and structural repair. 

Compassion with Firmness

Throughout this process, our team has shown extraordinary resilience and emotional strength. We’ve extended empathy where it was needed most — while also maintaining the firmness required to navigate volatile individuals and situations, and restoring structure and order. 

 

This work is not easy. It’s raw, it’s real, and at times it’s harrowing. But this is the heart of who we are at Living Concepts — a team that shows up when it matters, for those who need it most.  

This new chapter is just beginning, but already, the transformation is visible — in the repaired homes, in the softened tones of once-wary tenants, and in the quiet relief of having someone finally listen.

We’re here. And we’re committed to restoring dignity, one doorstep at a time. 

At Living Concepts, we’ve seen just about everything when it comes to tenants moving out of a property.

From curtains being packed up with the last box to carpets mysteriously disappearing, it’s safe to say nothing surprises us anymore. But while it may feel harmless to take an item you’ve grown fond of, the consequences can be far greater than most tenants realise.

 

What Belongs to the Property, Stays with the Property

When you move into a rental home, many fixtures and fittings – such as carpets, curtains, blinds, appliances, or even garden features – are part of the property. Unless you personally installed them (with the landlord’s written consent) and have a prior agreement to remove them, these items must remain when you move out.

Think of it this way: if you didn’t bring it with you on day one, you probably shouldn’t take it on the last.

 

Why Tenants Sometimes Do It

We understand the reasoning – sometimes it’s a misunderstanding, sometimes it’s sentimental, and occasionally it’s frustration with the landlord.

But whether it’s intentional or accidental, removing items that belong to the property is legally considered theft and can have long-term consequences.

 

The Consequences of Taking What’s Not Yours

    • Deposit Deductions: The cost of replacing missing items is usually taken straight from your deposit – often at a higher cost than what you’d expect.
    • Additional Charges: If the replacement exceeds your deposit, landlords can pursue further payment, even through legal channels.
    • Loss of References: A poor reference from a landlord can make securing your next rental significantly harder.
    • Legal Action: In extreme cases, removing items from a property can be treated as theft – a risk no tenant should be willing to take.

A Better Way Forward

If you’ve grown attached to the curtains or furniture, or perhaps invested in your own upgrades during your tenancy, speak to your landlord before moving out. In many cases, they may be open to negotiation: you could replace the item with your own, buy the existing one at a fair price, or agree to leave improvements in place.

 

Our Advice to Tenants

    • Do a walkthrough: Before moving, walk through the property with your inventory report in hand. Double-check what needs to stay.
    • Ask questions: If in doubt, ask your landlord or agent – it’s always better to clarify than assume.
    • Leave the property as you found it: Think back to move-in day. That’s your benchmark for move-out day.

At Living Concepts, we encourage respectful landlord–tenant relationships.

Leaving a property in good condition and with all its fixtures intact not only protects your deposit, but also your reputation as a tenant.

After all, moving out is a fresh start – why risk carrying unnecessary baggage with you?