A Notice to Remove Personal Property is a formal written notice served in England and Wales on the owner of goods that have been left behind on another person's premises. The notice formally demands that the owner collects their belongings within a specified deadline and sets out the consequences of failing to do so, including the bailee's right to sell or dispose of the uncollected goods under the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977.

The Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977 is the primary statute governing the rights and obligations of bailees — persons who hold another's goods — in England and Wales. Schedule 1 to the Act sets out a specific procedure that a bailee must follow before selling or disposing of uncollected goods. The procedure requires the bailee to give notice to the owner stating: a description of the goods; the address where the goods are held; the deadline for collection; any storage charges that must be paid; and the intended method of disposal if the goods are not collected. If the bailee follows this procedure correctly, the subsequent sale or disposal of the goods is lawful and the bailee is protected from a claim for wrongful interference with goods.

This type of notice is most commonly used by landlords dealing with goods left behind by departing tenants, former business partners holding each other's equipment, storage operators with uncollected items, and individuals holding property belonging to an ex-partner or family member. The notice creates a clear paper trail demonstrating that reasonable notice was given, which is essential if the bailee later faces a claim for wrongful disposal.

Our UK Notice to Remove Personal Property template is drafted in compliance with the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977 and is suitable for use in England and Wales. It covers the statutory requirements for a valid bailee's notice, including a reasonable collection deadline, storage cost provisions, and a clear statement of the intended disposal method.

A Notice to Remove Personal Property is needed whenever goods belonging to another person have been left on your premises and you wish to obtain a lawful basis to deal with those goods if they remain uncollected. Without serving a proper notice under the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977, you risk committing the tort of wrongful interference with goods by selling or disposing of items that belong to someone else.

Common situations where this notice is required include: a landlord whose tenant has vacated a rented property but left furniture, clothing, or personal items behind; a business owner whose former employee, contractor, or business partner has left equipment or belongings at the company's premises; a storage operator or self-storage facility whose customer has failed to pay rent and has not collected their stored goods; an individual whose ex-partner has moved out but left property at the shared home; and a garage or repair workshop holding a vehicle or items that the owner has failed to collect after the work has been completed.

The notice is also important where there is a risk that the owner may later dispute your right to have disposed of the goods. By serving a formal notice setting out the collection deadline, any storage charges, and the intended disposal method, you create documentary evidence that you acted reasonably and in compliance with the Act. This evidence may be crucial if the owner later brings a claim for wrongful interference with goods or conversion.

In landlord and tenant contexts specifically, many standard tenancy agreements include clauses about goods left behind. Even where such clauses exist, it is still good practice to serve a statutory notice under the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977, as the Act provides clearer legal protection than a purely contractual provision. Landlords should not change the locks, remove goods, or dispose of a tenant's belongings without following the correct statutory procedure, as doing so may give rise to claims under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 as well as the tort of wrongful interference.

A valid Notice to Remove Personal Property under the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977 must contain several essential elements to be effective and to protect the bailee from a claim of wrongful interference.

The identification of parties is fundamental. The notice must clearly identify the sender (the bailee, i.e. the person holding the goods) and the recipient (the bailor, i.e. the owner of the goods). Both parties should be identified by their full legal name and address.

A description of the goods is essential. The Act requires that the notice describe the goods sufficiently to enable the owner to identify them. A vague description such as 'miscellaneous items' may be insufficient. The description should be as specific as possible, listing individual items by type, colour, quantity, and any distinguishing features. Photographs should also be taken as supporting evidence.

The location of the goods must be specified so that the owner knows where to collect them. Where collection requires access to a secured premises, the notice should explain how the owner can make arrangements for access.

The collection deadline is critical. The notice must give the owner a reasonable period within which to collect the goods. A period of 14 to 28 days is generally considered reasonable in most circumstances, though longer periods may be appropriate for high-value items or where the owner faces practical obstacles to collection.

Storage charges, if applicable, should be set out in the notice. The amount of the daily or weekly charge must be stated, and the date from which charges began to accrue should be identified. The owner must be informed that payment of storage costs is a condition of release.

The intended disposal method must be stated. Under Schedule 1 to the Act, the bailee must indicate what will happen to the goods if they are not collected — for example, sale at public auction, donation to charity, or disposal as waste. A bailee who sells goods may be required to account to the owner for any surplus proceeds after deducting storage costs and sale expenses.

Contact details for arranging collection should be included so that the owner can make practical arrangements without difficulty. Requiring prior appointment is reasonable and helps ensure the security of the premises.