Why use Inventories?
Renting property is an increasingly complex business, for both landlords and tenants.
An inventory is a binding legal document of the condition and contents of a property
at the beginning of a tenancy, but a poorly prepared inventory can prove a costly
error, making it impossible for the Alternative Dispute Resolution Service (ADR)
to determine responsibility for loss or damage at the end of a tenancy. Using a
professional inventory service from check-in to check-out protects both parties,
ultimately saving time, money and grief.
Otterstones Inventories will:
- Prepare detailed, accurate and professional records of the contents and the condition
of the property before rental;
- Attend the property with the new tenants to go through the inventory;
- Return to the property at the completion of the tenancy to assess the end-of-tenancy
condition with the original.
As the refund of the tenant’s deposit is usually dependent upon the state in which
the property is left, excluding fair wear and tear, this procedure is vital.
Who Needs an Inventory?
Anyone - Landlords, Letting and Estate Agents - owning or managing property which
is let to tenants should have an inventory prepared before a tenant moves in for
the protection of all parties. There is less chance of problems occurring when the
tenant leaves if everything is listed and assessed in a detailed professional manner
to start with.
What makes up an Inventory?
An inventory should list everything in the property - walls, flooring, doors and
locks, light fittings, curtains, cupboards, appliances, smoke detectors, etc and
its condition. Any furniture supplied with the property will be listed, together
with details of its condition, so that a new tenant is not held responsible for past
damage. Inventories also include utility meter readings.