In an economic downturn landlords frequently get premises back
more quickly than anticipated and often in a less than desirable
state. A landlord may forfeit a lease for non-payment of rent;
alternatively, the tenant may choose to walk away because it can no
longer pay the rent. Often this means that when the landlord takes
back possession, the premises are full of the former tenant's
goods. Although tempting, a landlord cannot simply throw the goods
away.
This issue came before the High Court recently in the case of
Robot Arenas Limited -v- Waterfield and Others. Robot Arenas had
purchased the arena that had been used to film the television
series "Robot Wars". It was proposing to use it for a
world championship version of the show but this event was cancelled
due to poor sales. Robot Arenas had the equipment in storage at an
RAF base in Newton, Nottinghamshire and failed to collect the
goods. The property owner defendant threw them away when clearing
out the
