{"id":3210,"date":"2017-03-20T11:36:15","date_gmt":"2017-03-20T11:36:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.withcreative.co.uk\/lforl\/?p=3210"},"modified":"2017-03-20T11:36:15","modified_gmt":"2017-03-20T11:36:15","slug":"professional-inventory-or-diy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.withcreative.co.uk\/lforl\/professional-inventory-or-diy\/","title":{"rendered":"A professional inventory \u2013 an extra expense or a way to save thousands?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Inventory\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Imagine sending two landlords into the same property and asking each of them to compile an inventory. They\u2019ll come up with different results. One may produce something quite detailed, documenting every single item, while the other takes a more superficial approach, listing just the key features. It\u2019s obvious that the second landlord\u2019s technique might cause problems, but is that of the first one adequate?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s look at a specific example from our hypothetical property. The kitchen floor is tiled. The thorough landlord records the fact, but not the condition of the tiles themselves.<\/p>\n

Months down the line, at the end of a tenancy, it\u2019s discovered that some of the floor tiles are badly damaged and beyond repair. The tiles are no longer available, and it looks like a substantial re-tiling job to restore the kitchen floor. Has our thorough landlord done enough to protect his interests?<\/p>\n

Well, not if the tenant can argue that the tiles were damaged at the start of the tenancy \u2013 and in the so-called \u2018thorough\u2019 inventory, the condition of the tiles isn\u2019t mentioned.\u00a0 An independent adjudicator called in to sort a dispute over the deposit has nothing to go off.<\/p>\n

DIY or professional?<\/h3>\n

Just like in our scenario above, many landlords rely on DIY inventories, but they carry a risk. Often, they have nowhere near the level of detail required. They don\u2019t include photographs of the state of the property or its furnishings and where any detail of an item\u2019s condition is included in the documentation, it\u2019s from the landlord\u2019s own point of view. One person\u2019s definition of clean and in good repair isn\u2019t the same as someone else\u2019s.<\/p>\n

A professionally prepared inventory might seem like a step too far, but in the event of a dispute, it can protect landlords from having to pay out for damage caused by the departing tenant. The professional report includes not just the information and photographic evidence required to settle a dispute, but it also carries more weight than a DIY version simply because it\u2019s an unbiased, professional record of a property\u2019s condition. It may be an extra expense, but try thinking of it as an insurance policy that will allow you to retain the deposit to cover essential repairs.<\/p>\n

Going it alone<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re still convinced you can do the job yourself, then be careful. Maybe look at some professionally compiled inventories to see the level of detail required \u2013 inventories can easily run to 20 or more pages. Work through the property methodically, remembering to list not just the presence of something, but also its condition. Take good quality photographs, several of each room, and don\u2019t forget the outside spaces. Include the state of the d\u00e9cor, carpets and curtains, the level of cleanliness. Compile the inventory as close as possible to the moving in and out date and make sure that it\u2019s agreed, signed and dated.<\/p>\n

Already stuck in a dispute? Try our free legal<\/a> advice line. Call us on 0333 577 9050<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Imagine sending two landlords into the same property and asking each of them to compile an inventory. They\u2019ll come up with different results. One may produce something quite detailed, documenting every single item, while the other takes a more superficial approach, listing just the key features. It\u2019s obvious that the second landlord\u2019s technique might cause […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3212,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1404,3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nA professional inventory \u2013 an extra expense or a way to save thousands?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Many landlords rely on a DIY inventory, but they carry a risk. 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