A landlord’s inventory should list all the contents of a rental property and document the condition of the property itself and each item. Designed to monitor the condition of the property/items before a tenant moves in and just before a tenant leaves, so it can be made clear what damages, if any, need to be paid for.
Preparing an inventory
The Landlord, Letting Agent or an Independent Inventory Clerk should prepare the Inventory which should be agreed with the tenant on move-in day. The Landlord/Agent and tenant(s) should sign the Inventory and initial every page to signify agreement. It is recommended that valuable items such as cookers and washing machines should be photographed, so there is no question of their condition.
The final inventory check at the end of tenancy
Ideally, on move out day the landlord should do a final inventory check. The inventory must be checked and agreed with the tenant before the deposit being returned.
It’s imperative that the inventory is checked immediately before the tenant leaving, so there can be no argument about any damage occurring after the tenant has gone. The deposit should only be handed back within 7 to 14 days if there are no outstanding issues when the inspection is complete.
What happens if items have been damaged?
If there’s a general consensus between the parties on what has been damaged, then estimates should be drawn up for repairs/replacements. The tenant should be informed of all the costs in writing and amounts of deductions from the deposit.
If the deposit doesn’t cover the amount needed to carry out the repairs, an invoice itemising all costs involved for additional payments should be sent to the tenant. If the tenant is insured, this evidence should be provided for the insurance company.
What if the parties Cannot Agree?
If the parties cannot reach agreement as to which items have been damaged, the severity of the damage, the repair or replacement costs etc, then great care should be taken in:
- recording the state and condition with photographs
- obtaining estimates and repair or replacement costs
- informing the tenant/landlord in writing
Disputes over these matters may eventually need to be solved through arbitration by a third party – most usually, the Small Claims Court.
If you need to create an inventory visit
A landlord’s inventory should list all the contents of a rental property and document the condition of the property itself and each item. Designed to monitor the condition of the property/items before a tenant moves in and just before a tenant leaves, so it can be made clear what damages, if any, need to be paid for.
Preparing an inventory
The Landlord, Letting Agent or an Independent Inventory Clerk should prepare the Inventory which should be agreed with the tenant on move-in day. The Landlord/Agent and tenant(s) should sign the Inventory and initial every page to signify agreement. It is recommended that valuable items such as cookers and washing machines should be photographed, so there is no question of their condition.
The final inventory check at the end of tenancy
Ideally, on move out day the landlord should do a final inventory check. The inventory must be checked and agreed with the tenant before the deposit being returned.
It’s imperative that the inventory is checked immediately before the tenant leaving, so there can be no argument about any damage occurring after the tenant has gone. The deposit should only be handed back within 7 to 14 days if there are no outstanding issues when the inspection is complete.
What happens if items have been damaged?
If there’s a general consensus between the parties on what has been damaged, then estimates should be drawn up for repairs/replacements. The tenant should be informed of all the costs in writing and amounts of deductions from the deposit.
If the deposit doesn’t cover the amount needed to carry out the repairs, an invoice itemising all costs involved for additional payments should be sent to the tenant. If the tenant is insured, this evidence should be provided for the insurance company.
What if the parties Cannot Agree?
If the parties cannot reach agreement as to which items have been damaged, the severity of the damage, the repair or replacement costs etc, then great care should be taken in:
- recording the state and condition with photographs
- obtaining estimates and repair or replacement costs
- informing the tenant/landlord in writing
Disputes over these matters may eventually need to be solved through arbitration by a third party – most usually, the Small Claims Court.
If you would like more information about creating a landlord inventory visit
http://www.propertyinvestmentproject.co.uk/blog/property-inventory-form/
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