Why landlords need an inventory for their rental property

It is essential that your rented property has an inventory.

The vast majority of tenancies will now take a deposit which will be protected under one of the government authorised tenancy deposit schemes.

If there is any dispute at the end of the tenancy regarding the deductions which the landlord wishes to make from the deposit money, his chances of sucess at arbitration will be low if there is no agreed inventory showing in detail the condition of the property at the start of the tenancy.
Unfurnished properties

Note that an inventory (or as it is sometimes called, a schedule of condition) should not just be done for furnished properties.

Even with an unfurnished property you will want to keep a record of the condition of the walls, doors, carpets etc, not to mention curtains and any kichen white or other goods which may be included as part of the let. ALL rented properties should have a proper inventory prepared, and ideally the tenants should not be allowed into occupation until it has been checked with them and they have signed to confirm that it is agreed.
Inventory clerks

As arbitrators often regard the evidence of landlords who prepare their own inventories as biased, particuarly on the subject of fair wear and tear, we strongly recommend that you use an independent inventory clerk.

Note also that if your tenant fails or refuses to sign the inventory form as agreed at the start of the tenancy, then an inventory prepared by the landlord will be given little weight by an adjudicator if there is ever any dispute about deductions from the deposit.

For this reason it is better for landlords to use an inventory clerk rather than prepare their own inventory forms.

Other reasons for using an inventory clerk:

• Preparing a proper inventory is time consuming if you do it properly, and takes even longer if it is not something you do very often (for example if you only own one or two properties). Professional inventory clerks who do this work every day, will do a quicker and better job
• You can offset the inventory clerk’s fees against tax
• You can also charge the cost of either the check in work or the check out work (but not both) to the tenant
• If the question of deductions is ever looked at by an arbitrator, the evidence of the inventory clerk will often be given more weight as he will be seen as impartial
• If the tenant refuses to sign the inventory as agreed at the start of the tenancy, the inventory clerk’s evidence will normally be accepted by an adjudicator as independent evidence of the condition of the property at the start of the tenancy.

Use an inventory clerk who is accreddited by a professional body such as Association of Professional Inventory Providers

All properties let and managed through Jungle Property have a detailed Inventory and Schedule of Condition report compiled by an independent accredited inventory clerk.