TORTS Notice

Legally Removing Unclaimed Goods Left on Your Property

If you need to clear abandoned goods from your property, we handle the entire process for you – quickly, legally, and with minimal hassle.

Instruct us for TORTS

What is TORTS?

When tenants or trespassers abandon goods on your commercial property, you cannot simply dispose of them – doing so could lead to legal consequences. Instead, you need to follow the correct legal process under the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977, which allows landlords and property owners to lawfully remove and sell abandoned goods.

A TORTS Notice (Torts Interference with Goods Notice) is a legal document that informs the owner of abandoned goods that they must collect them within a specified time frame. If they fail to do so, you have the legal right to dispose of, sell, or retain the items.

Key TORTS Notice Requirements

Identify the Owner

The goods must belong to someone else (e.g., a former tenant, trespasser, or customer). Reasonable efforts must be made to trace and contact the owner before taking action.

Issue a Written TORTS Notice

The notice must be in writing and served to the last known address of the goods’ owner. If no known address is available, posting the notice at the premises where the goods were left may be necessary.

Contents of the TORTS Notice

A clear description of the goods being held. The location where the goods are stored. A reasonable deadline for collection (usually 14–28 days, but may vary depending on the goods’ value and circumstances).

Allow the Owner a Reasonable Opportunity to Collect

The owner must be given a fair chance to retrieve their belongings before any further action is taken. The timeframe should be proportionate to the value and nature of the goods.

Our TORTS Notice Process

Case Review & Legal Guidance

We assess your situation and confirm whether a TORTS Notice is required before taking further action.

Issuing the TORTS Notice

We draft and serve a legally compliant TORTS Notice to the last known address of the goods’ owner, giving them a reasonable deadline to collect their belongings.

Collection & Disposal

We arrange legal disposal of unwanted goods, sell items to recover costs (if applicable) & provide a full legal record of actions taken, protecting you from liability.

Legal Protection

We ensure that all actions taken under the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977 are fully documented, minimising your legal risk.

Why Choose Sheriff & Penny for TORTS?

At Sheriff & Penny, we handle the entire legal disposal process for abandoned goods, ensuring you stay compliant with UK law.

If a former tenant, customer, or occupier has left goods behind, issuing a TORTS Notice ensures you follow the legal process before disposing of or selling them.

Fully Legal Process – We ensure compliance with UK law, protecting you from legal disputes.

Fast & Hassle-Free Service – We handle everything, so you don’t have to.

Over 20 Years of Expertise – Trusted by landlords and commercial property owners since 2003.

Nationwide Coverage – We serve landlords, businesses, and property owners across the UK.

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TORTS Authorisation Form

TORTS Authorisation Form

TORTS (INTERFERENCE WITH GOODS) ACT 1977 – AUTHORISATION FORM

Authorisation to Enforcement Agent to Document Goods Under Common Law and the Torts Act

By completing and signing this form, you authorise Sheriff & Penny Private Bailiffs Ltd, as certified enforcement agents, to attend the premises listed below for the purpose of documenting and inventorying goods under a valid claim of ownership, lien, or retention of title.
This action is carried out in accordance with common law rights and the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977.

OCCUPIER DETAILS

CLAIMANT’S DETAILS

Maximum file size: 516MB

CERTIFICATION

I hereby authorise Sheriff & Penny Private Bailiffs Ltd to attend the premises listed above to inventory and document goods that are lawfully owned by the claimant, as per common law rights and the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977.

Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ's)

A Torts Notice is a legal notice that allows a landlord or property owner to dispose of, sell, or remove goods left behind by a former tenant. It protects landlords from liability and gives the tenant a final opportunity to reclaim their belongings.

You need to issue a Torts Notice if a tenant or occupier has vacated your commercial property but has left behind personal belongings or business assets. Common scenarios include: Lease forfeiture or eviction. A tenant abandoning the premises. Business insolvency or liquidation.

If you remove or dispose of these goods without a Torts Notice, you could be held legally responsible.

The Torts Notice should be personally served to the former tenant, either: By post to their last known address. By email (if electronic communication was previously used). By leaving it at the abandoned property (if no forwarding address is available).

If the tenant is untraceable, our TRACE service can help locate them.

The standard notice period is 7 to 14 days, but this can vary. If the tenant does not respond within this time, you may proceed with disposal or sale. However, if the goods are of significant value, a longer notice period may be advisable.

Yes, but any proceeds from selling the goods must first cover reasonable costs (e.g., storage, removal fees). If there is surplus money, it may need to be returned to the tenant. If the tenant cannot be found, alternative legal steps may be required.

If a third party (e.g., a finance company or supplier) claims ownership of the goods, you cannot sell or dispose of them without resolving the ownership issue first. Our experts can assist in handling ownership disputes.