Belvoir Sheffield, leading letting agent in Sheffield, has backed warnings today from the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC) that too many landlords and agents are using digital evidence to replace essential written descriptions in inventories, leaving landlords exposed to potentially costly disputes over wear and tear.
The report from the AIIC found that too many landlords and agents are simply replacing written evidence with photographs and video at check in and check out, leaving them in many cases without adequate protection.
Rick Flay, Director at Belvoir Sheffield, who offer a wide range of property to rent in Sheffield, said: “Inventory reports should contain a full description of a property and its contents as well as details on condition and newness. All previous damage even minor marks and their exact location should be recorded at the start of a tenancy, and this can be supported by digital photographs or video, but they should work together, not as a separate entity.”
Earlier this week, Pat Barber, chair of The AIIC, said: “We want landlords and agents to be better informed in the event of a dispute. That means providing quality evidence to substantiate their claims for with holding the deposit.
“The law clearly states that the deposit remains the tenant’s money and that they are entitled to get it back at the end of their stay, provided they have met the terms of the tenancy agreement, so the onus lies with the agent or landlord to provide proof.”
Rick, whose letting agency in Sheffield, specialises in providing flats to let in Sheffield added: “Here at Belvoir Sheffield, we are finding that many landlords are indeed finding that their photographic inventories are incomplete, so we are encouraging them to seek the advice of a professional letting agent like Belvoir Sheffield to ensure that they are adequately covered against disputes.
“When landlords come to Belvoir Sheffield, we not only offer them a comprehensive credit referencing service of all tenants and the most up to date legal advice available from our free legal helpline , we also create a professionally written Inventory for them, including digital photographs to ensure that they are protected, should a dispute arise.
“A lot oflandlords don’t want to pay for an inventory but the cost is far outweighed bythe benefits. To put an inventory together properly can take hours, but the detail we provide offers the landlord with the best possible chance of getting dilapidations paid for in the event of a dispute. A properly prepared inventory will pay for itself many times over.”
Belvoir Lettings Sheffield is the One Stop Specialists for Lettings including Property Management, Tenant Find, Investment and Wealth Management Advice, Fit-outs and Renovations, Furniture Packs and Investment Property Insurances and Mortgages.
