The RENTERS REFORM BILL will revoke your mandatory right to claim possession of your property. This means problem Tenants will be afforded greater protection PIMS NEW GUIDE court application for a Section 21 your mandatory right as is now

The Importance of Inventory Reports

Posted : 06/03/2017 | By Amanda Hosking

An inventory report is an essential process of any new tenancy as it has many benefits and securities for landlords. An inventory should be done at the start of every tenancy to record any existing damage to the property and the overall condition.

Man with list

All damage should be photographed, described in detail, and be stamp dated. Conducting a detailed inventory can save landlords money at the end of the tenancy and can avoid deposit disputes. If all damage is clearly recorded at the start of the tenancy, then new damage can be easily identified at the end of the tenancy. If the tenant claims that they did not cause the damage, the detailed inventory can help to settle the issue.

One problem stated in a recent report by Imfuna, is that landlords may be raising the chance of deposit disputes due to a lack of detail in their inventory reports. The reports frequently do not contain enough quality photographs and the descriptions are lacking in detail.

To create a solid inventory report, ensure to include the following:

• A detailed account of the property
• Top quality photographs of existing damage – these should be printed in A3/A4 size so the damage is clear
• An extensive description of the damage to go alongside the photograph

Time should be taken when completing the report to ensure you record all the existing damage and do not miss anything out.

woman on laptop

Help with the Inventory Report

If you are unsure of how to carry out a report you have several options:

• Hire a professional to conduct the report on your behalf
• Download an inventory report app which guides the through the process and helps you to create a detailed report electronically. Apps include ‘Happy Inspector’ and ‘Hubl Inventory’. These apps can be beneficial as the report will be stored on the app and are easily accessible.
• Print out an inventory template. Many of these are available on the internet and can be downloaded and printed.

man on phone

Producing a detailed, quality inventory report can save you time, money, and hassle at the end of a tenancy and is worth spending the extra time on.