When you move into a new rental property it can feel like you have a million and one things to do.
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Indeed, an article in The Express places moving home amongst some of the most stressful life experiences you’ll ever encounter – even more stressful than divorce! But amidst the boxes and the removal vans and the arduous process of setting up new utility accounts, it’s very important to remember one crucial thing: conduct an inventory check-in. But what exactly is an inventory check-in and why is it so important?
What Is an Inventory Check-in?
An inventory check-in comes in two parts. The first involves compiling a report of all of the items in the property at the time of letting. The second is to assess and record the condition of said items and to take meter readings and log how many sets of keys are given out. Some systems also allow the landlord to register key dates such as when they need to contact a Boiler Service Cheltenham company such as www.blu-fish.co.uk each year to have their heating systems safety checked.
Who Carries Out an Inventory Check-in?
An inventory check-in is usually carried out by the property owner or letting agent. However, more recently, third party companies that are dedicated to carrying out inventory checks are being drafted in, as there is often less bias in their reports.
How Are Inventories Carried Out?
In the past, most inventories were presented as a written report, but in the new technological age you may find that property inventory software is used or that a video log is carried out. In any case, the report should be thorough and detailed in both terms of the items present in the property and, more crucially, the state that they are in.
Why Is an Inventory Check Important?
The key reason that these checks are carried out is to avoid disputes between landlords and tenants at the end of a tenancy. Although reasonable wear and tear to a property is expected (and usually written into most tenancy agreements), a landlord may take issue with severe damage to the furnishings, decor or structural aspects to a property. Having a written or visual log of the state of the property at the time of letting can help resolve these disputes and clarify when the damage occurred. This type of evidence is crucial should a landlord want to claim for damages from a tenant.