Letting your property? An Inventory can save you Time and Money

Your property is one of your most valuable assets. Time, accidents, negligence, and even willful damage can affect its value, no matter how carefully you choose your tenants. 

We aim to make sure that the relationship between tenant and landlord begins the right way by providing an assessment of the condition of a property and its contents that both parties can agree to.

The detailed inventories that our expert clerks produce guarantee that disputes between landlord and tenant over damage or defects at the end of a tenancy are rare. If a dispute arises, it can be settled quickly and easily by reference to our work.

If there is no inventory taken, however, that safeguard is lost. It is almost impossible to recover costs of damage that exceeds the value of the retained deposit when there is no record of the state of the property or its contents at the start of a tenancy. Even retaining the deposit can lead to a tenant taking you to court for its recovery. Why take the risk?

What is an inventory?

When a new tenancy begins, a record is made of the contents and condition of the property. This record is the inventory and, because it becomes a binding legal agreement when it is signed by both landlord (or their agent) and tenant, it is essential that it is accurate and thorough.

A professionally produced inventory serves the interests of the tenant and the landlord - especially in the light of the new Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) -  as it can help prevent disputes over the return of deposits at the end of a tenancy. Put simply, a good inventory is proof of the state of the property at the beginning of the tenancy and, the more detailed the inventory, the easier it will be to resolve any potential disputes.

The inventory should list the complete contents of the property. This will include things such as doors, ceilings, walls, light fittings, carpets, curtains, smoke detectors, sockets, cupboards, and radiators. In addition, defects, stains, chips, and general cleanliness will be recorded. Any furniture remaining in the property that belongs to the landlord will be included and its condition clearly recorded.

Start of Tenancy Check-In

At the start of a new tenancy we produce a hand-written schedule of the overall condition and cleanliness of the property. We take utility meter readings and list and hand over the keys to the tenant.

End of Tenancy Check-In

At the end of a tenancy we compare the state of the property to the original inventory. We list all changes, make recommendations based on our professional expertise, and, where practical, advise on compensation.