An inventory is one of the most important documents a
landlord can create when renting out a property.
It details all the fixtures and fittings they supply to tenants
and is the only evidence of a property's condition
at the start of a tenancy.
It should describe the condition of every item supplied for
both furnished and unfurnished properties.
A common disagreement when a tenancy ends concerns the
return of deposits and an accurate and agreed inventory can
prevent this issue from occurring.
Inventories and their contents should be
agreed by both parties before a tenancy begins and ideally
should be run through by the landlord in a tenant's
presence.
The document should detail the following items, their
condition and be as specific as possible:
- Blinds, curtains and windows
- Carpets and floors
- Ceilings and walls
- Cupboards and shelves
- Domestic and heating appliances
- Furniture and furnishings
- Lights and bulbs
An inventory should accurately identify rooms by location
and only include areas which form part of the tenancy agreement and
not any shared or communal areas.
Tenants should look for any evidence of damage such as cracks in
walls or carpet stains and record these on the
inventory.
All parties should then be given a copy of the signed and
agreed document.
This will reduce any disputes at the end of the tenancy and
avoid any arguments during a landlord's final
inspection.
Photos can be a useful addition to support an inventory and
using a camera or video camera which records the
date on the image or using a video camera are useful options.
Landlords or tenants should take at least two wide shots in each
room paying close attention to walls and other surfaces
with items prone to damage photographed separately.
It is also useful at this stage for landlords to explain
the use and care of any appliances and utilities.
Tenants should be handed photocopies of any instruction
manuals rather than the originals as these can often get
lost.
The final inspection should record the condition of the
property and its contents with all damaged and missing items
noted.
Landlords should attempt to clarify and agree this list
with their tenants as this will translate into how much, if
any, of their deposit will be held.
