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You are here: Home / Managing a Tenancy * / Inspections & Access * / Check Out Inspection *
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Check Out Inspection *

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✓ PIMS Renters’ Rights Compliant

The check-out inspection is where evidence becomes money.

This page helps landlords prove condition, support deposit deductions, confirm tenant compliance and protect against disputes.

PIMS view is simple: landlords do not lose deposit disputes because they are wrong — they lose because they cannot prove they are right.

Critical Warning — Weak Check-Out = Lost Deposit Claims

If the landlord cannot prove condition at move-out compared to move-in, deductions will fail.

Disputes are decided on evidence, not opinion. A poor check-out report can destroy a valid claim.

How PIMS Protects You

Inventory
Tenant Sign-Off
Deposits
Fines
PIMS Tip: The check-out inspection is only as strong as the move-in inventory.
PIMS Check-Out Flow

1. Tenant gives notice

↓

2. Arrange inspection before keys returned

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3. Compare against inventory

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4. Record condition, damage and cleaning

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5. Store evidence for deposit decision

1. The legal rule

The landlord must return the deposit fairly and only make deductions that can be proven and justified.

2. Common landlord mistakes
  • No inventory comparison
  • No photos
  • No meter readings
  • Emotional decisions instead of evidence
3. Real-world consequences

Deposit claims fail, tenants challenge deductions, and landlords lose money.

4. PIMS insight

Condition evidence beats opinion every time.

PIMS Final Rule: If you cannot prove the difference between move-in and move-out, you will struggle to justify deductions.

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Fit for Habitation|March 2019 The ACT is intended to define minimum standards a rental property MUST be and makes a clearer pathway way for Tenants to be compensated|https://www.pims.co.uk/fit_for_habitation_act_march_2019/ Guarantor|The person who provides a guarantee and promises to make payment good should the person responsible for the agreement fail|http://www.pims.co.uk/guarantors/ MEES|The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) Landlords are charged with the requirement to bring their rental property to a minimum EPC rating of E. Property with F and G rating will effectively be banned from the rental market April 2018 |http://www.pims.co.uk/epc/ Section 11|Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 places an obligation on the landlord to maintain the structure and exterior of the property, including installations for the supply of water, gas and electricity, heating systems, drainage and sanitary appliances|http://www.pims.co.uk/landlord-section-11-repairs/ serving date|This date is the date deemed received at the property - as an example if posted allow for posting days|/serving-notice-on-a-tenant-delivery-days/ Tenancy Application|The objective of vetting is to empower yourself so you can make an informed decision as to the calibre of the prospective person. Making your decision on facts and figures is invaluable and this is why you should always take references. The application form also provides you with permission to perform credits. This form details all the information you should ever require deal with most eventualities including absconding tenants|http://www.pims.co.uk/doc/57/ Tenant Fees|From June 2019 where renting properties in England gone are the days of charging for admin, letting fees, vetting, references, inventory, check in, check out, cleaning, pet insurance or ANY other fee that is not explicitly permitted within the legislation. |https://www.pims.co.uk/ban_letting_fees_act_2019/