𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐩 𝐃𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲

A thorough inventory can save a landlord time and money and prevent messy end-of-tenancy disputes. So why do so many landlords rush this essential stage – or skip it altogether?

In this quick read, we look at why an inventory is important and what you need to include in it.

𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬

Your tenant of the past 12 months is leaving. You go to check them out and find a massive stain on the carpet, the sofa cover has been torn and there are lots of marks on the walls.

Uh oh.

You’re in a stand-off. The tenant denies causing the damage, but you know it wasn’t there when they moved in. However, unless you’ve documented the condition of the carpet, sofa and walls in an inventory before the tenant moved in, get ready to start paying out.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲?

It’s a detailed report about the property, fittings and furnishings. It details things like cleanliness, contents and the condition of the premises prior to a tenant moving in. It’s often supplemented with pictures (and videos) and provided to both parties at the start of a tenancy agreement.

Also known as a schedule of condition, a thorough inventory should rate different aspects of the property from ‘poor’ to ‘excellent’.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭?

While it’s not a legal requirement, it is essential. Yet many landlords fail to do it. Or they simply go through the motions and record only the bare basics.

Unfortunately, disputes between tenants and landlords are common. Especially at the end of a tenancy.

And with deposits now held in tenancy deposit schemes, a landlord can’t just withhold part or all the deposit in the event of any damage. Instead, the dispute must be officially resolved, and an inventory is essential to help reach a solution.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝?

Before the tenant moves themselves or any of their possessions into the property.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐝𝐨 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲?

The inventory is the landlord’s responsibility. You can do it yourself, ask your agent or organise a professional inventory company to perform it. You should keep a copy of the inventory and provide one to the tenant. Both parties should sign and date the inventory so that you’re in agreement.

At the end of the tenancy, the inventory should be revisited so the condition of the property and any contents can be checked.

It can also be a useful reference for landlord inspections during the tenancy period.

𝐈𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲?

Yes. An inventory is always necessary.

From light switches to kitchen cupboards, garden fences to plug sockets – an inventory details the minutiae of a rental property and the condition of every aspect.

If you’re searching for new tenants, get in touch with our lettings team at Belvoir on 02380018222 or email brian.linehan@belvoir.co.uk.