RENTAL PREPERATION TIPS

* Decorate properties in neutral colours so that the property can be maintained & repaired easily.

* Carry out all necessary repairs before the inventory is completed & have the property cleaned including carpets & curtains. This will make the check – in of new tenants less troublesome.

* Plumbing, central heating, hot water & wiring must be safe and in good working order. All safety regulations must be complied with & the relevant safety certificates, manuals & safety labels should be on the premises so that it can all be noted in the inventory.

* When renting out a furnished property, make it as uncluttered as possible, remove all personal items eg. Books pictures & sentimental items. Do not leave furniture which is irreplaceable, or of high sentimental value & gardens to be left neat and tidy.

Why are Inventories Important?

A good quality, unbiased, independent report is vital for tenancy deposit dispute resolution under the Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme. The scheme came into effect on the 6th April 2007 and requires that all deposits for Assured Shorthold Tenancies be registered with one of the three government-approved schemes.

At the end of the tenancy the condition and contents of the property should be checked against the original check in and inventory report. If there is a dispute on how the deposit should be divided the scheme will hold the deposit until the dispute resolution service or courts decide what is fair. Adjudicators will review all documents (check in, inventory, check out reports etc) before reaching a judgment. It is therefore vital that all evidence is full, detailed, unbiased and preferably independent. This new legislation is designed to protect tenants. Landlords are now required to 'prove their case' if they wish to deduct from tenant's deposits. To find out more about the Tenancy Deposit Scheme you can visit their official website at www.tds.gb.com

Letting agents:

There are numerous benefits to you by outsourcing your inventories including administration time released as well as being able to concentrate on your main business of sales and marketing. Using an independent Inventory Company means that you no longer need to get involved in disputes.

A good Independent Inventory is an excellent selling tool, providing you with a heightened corporate image to landlords and tenants.

Landlords:

The new legislation is designed to protect tenants. Landlords will need to be able to prove their case should they wish to deduct money from their tenants deposit. Adjudicators will review all documents (inventories, check-in, and check-out reports) before they can reach any judgement on disputes. Therefore it is vital that all the evidence is independent, unbiased detailed and fully detailed. The inventory is a detailed description of the condition of the property not only a record of the furniture Both furnished and unfurnished properties need an inventory.