A property inventory is a detailed record of the condition and cleanliness of a rental property, and everything in it, at the start of a tenancy. It is written room by room and supported by dated photographs, so anyone reading it later can see exactly what the property was like on the day the tenant moved in.
It is the document every deposit decision comes back to. At the end of the tenancy the property is compared against the inventory, and any difference beyond fair wear and tear can be put down to the tenancy. Without an inventory, there is nothing reliable to compare against.
What a good inventory includes
- Every room, with walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows and fittings described
- Every item of furniture, appliance and fixture, with its condition and cleanliness rated
- Clear, dated photographs throughout, numbered against the item they show
- Meter readings for gas, electricity and water, with a photo of each meter
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and whether they were tested
- Keys, fobs and access cards handed over
- Outside areas such as gardens, sheds, garages and parking spaces
Why it should be independent
An inventory written by the landlord can be questioned by the tenant, and one written by the tenant can be questioned by the landlord. An independent inventory clerk has no stake in the deposit, so the report simply records the property as it is. That impartiality is what gives it weight with the deposit schemes if there is ever a dispute.
When it should be done
The inventory is best carried out as close to the move in date as possible, once the property has been cleaned and prepared. Many agents book the inventory and the check-in together, so the tenant goes through the report on the day they collect the keys.
Need an inventory, check-in or check-out?
Independent inventory clerks covering every London borough, with dated photos, an emailed PDF and your own client portal.
