Importance of Inventories

The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks says the government should make inventories “compulsory, unbiased and regulated” in a bid to offer more protection to tenants and to help raise standards in the private rented sector. The research carried out by the AIIC found that only 70% of those tenants surveyed received an inventory of the property and its contents from a letting agent before they moved in. The association says it is unclear how many of these inventories came from landlords or their agents, rather than independent professional inventory clerks.

The introduction of the compulsory Tenancy Deposit Scheme in 2007 highlighted the need for comprehensive and detailed inventories. The deposit schemes act as arbitrators should there be a deposit dispute however if there isn’t a detailed inventory there is often little hope of a landlord being successful in a claim from the deposit for any dilapidations.

Kate West, Divisional Lettings Director, comments ‘Goadsby recommend an independent inventory is conducted at the start of all tenancies and work alongside a number of independent inventory companies’

Kate urges any landlords looking to let their properties to contact her for advice and to discuss how Goadsby can assist in letting their property. Kate can be contacted on 01202 432188 or [email protected]