Inventory

Inventory is key to a good relationship between landlord and tenant. It allows for both parties to understand the condition of the property at the beginning and end of the tenancy agreement. It prevents any disputes that may occur as a result of potential deposit deductions.

Inventory is an in-depth report on the condition of the property and its contents. Whether the property is furnished, part-furnished or unfurnished, inventory must exists. It lists in detail; the furniture, pictures and fittings in every room within the property, along with their condition.

 Without inventory there is no proof of what the property looked like before the tenant occupied it. This could lead to disputes between landlord and tenant at the end of the tenancy agreements, especially with regards to the landlords right to deduct from the holding deposit.

Both landlord and tenant should have a thorough understanding of the condition of the property before it is occupied. As well as furniture, factors such as bathroom tiles, condition of the windows and doors, damage to walls and floors and even water pressure in bathrooms should be made aware of.

The landlord is legally obligated to differentiate between ‘fair wear and tear’ and damage at the end of a tenancy agreement. They must account for wear and tear and consider that it is impossible for the property to be returned in the exact same condition, as though un-lived in.’Fair wear and tear’ covers worn carpet, scuffs and scrapes on the wall and anything else that can be put down to everyday use. The landlord has no right to deduct from the deposit for any of these reasons.

The Rentome property management team will supply a third party clerk who is responsible for carrying out the inventory form before the tenant occupies the property. The form will include photos and detailed descriptions. Both landlord and tenant must approve the form before the tenant moves in. Once the tenancy period is over another inventory form is drawn up and compared alongside the original.