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Tenants urged to double check inventories
This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.
As a number of student tenancies are coming to an end, tenants, landlords and agents alike are being warned to take notice of inventories or risk losing substantial amounts of money.
The Association of Independent Clerks (AIIC) is urging tenants to check the items listed in the inventory before moving out of a property. Typically the summer months bring a busy turn-over of tenancies, particularly in the student population.
Troubles
A recent study by removal firm Kiwi Movers found that 52% of tenants had experienced difficulty with their landlord when it came to returning deposits at the conclusion of a tenancy agreement. The survey revealed that the most common reasons for some or all of deposits not being returned were:
- items missing from the inventory
- minor repair work required
- cleaning costs
- unpaid bills
- substantial property damage[1]
Tenants urged to double check inventories
‘Tenants should be issued with a copy of the inventory at the beginning of the tenancy and I urge them all to double check all the items listed at that time and to ensure that all items remain in the property, in good condition, when moving out,’ said Pat Barber, chair of the AIIC. ‘If there is something missing it can often be cheaper for the tenant to replace it rather than for the landlord or agent to do so.’[1]
Barber added that, ‘if both sides of the rental transaction hold up their side of the bargain, the amount of deposit disputes can be kept to a minimum this summer.’[1]
[1] https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2015/7/tenants-urged-to-double-check-inventories-at-check-out
