A new guide has been compiled to aid letting agents and landlords when creating inventories for their properties.
It has been written by tenancy deposit protection scheme mydeposits and aims to help agencies avoid disputes with tenants when a tenancy ends.
The guide features advice from leading industry bodies such as the UK Association of Letting Agents and National Landlords Association (NLA) and can be downloaded for free here.
It was created following research by mydeposits that revealed over a third (36 per cent) of tenants fail to properly read their inventory when moving into a rental home, which means disputes can easily occur later down the line. The organisation has also created a guide aimed at renters to try and reduce the risk of conflict further.
Eddie Hooker, mydeposits chief executive, said the new publication should be the first port of call for agents as it will allow them to create a solid inventory that can that be used as evidence should a dispute ever occur.
NLA chairman Carolyn Uphill welcomed the news. She commented: “Dealing with a deposit dispute can be stressful and costly for those involved so it’s always preferable to avoid this if possible.
“The guidance makes it easy for landlords and agents to carry out their own inventory and also helps tenants understand what’s required of them before they depart the property, helping them to avoid unnecessary deductions to their deposit.”
The importance of inventories was highlighted by ARLA in May. With the private rental sector expanding so quickly, the organisation said there is an urgent need for tenants to be more accurate when detailing the condition of a property when they first move in.
Ian Potter, ARLA managing director, advised all renters to establish who is responsible for the upkeep of furnishings and make clear notes about the condition of items. He suggested taking photos could be a good way to do this.
Reagan Bradley
Head of Property Management
From Rentman