Before the start of each tenancy, the landlord or agent should prepare a professional inventory that details the complete contents and condition of the property, inside and out. Although it’s not a legal requirement, if one is not done, it suggests that the landlord or agent isn’t following ‘good practice’ when letting a property. This should be a red flag that they might not be letting to you legally or won’t make repairs when you need them. 

What a tenant inventory checklist should include

For an inventory to provide peace of mind to you and the landlord/agent, there should be:

• A written description of each item (from ceiling to floor, including every surface, fitting and item of contents)
• A rating of the condition - usually on a scale from ‘brand new’ to ‘very poor’, or with a ‘traffic light’ system of green/amber/red
• Photographs of the room/area with close-ups of any existing wear or damage
• Confirmation that all appliances and lights are working
• Smoke and CO2 alarm test results
• Meter readings
• Details of keys that have been supplied to you
• Details of the condition of the garden, driveway, fencing and any garden furniture, sheds and garages.

They will then compare this record with the contents and condition when you move out to determine whether any damage has been caused during the tenancy, over and above what would be considered normal wear and tear. They will also check whether the property is in the same state of cleanliness as when you moved in.

Do tenants have to sign the inventory?

Although you don't have to sign the checklist, it’s vital that you go through the inventory when you check in to make sure you agree with the contents and are happy it’s a true reflection of how the property stands at the start of your tenancy. If there is any wear or damage that hasn’t been noted accurately, take photographs and ask for the inventory to be amended. A comprehensive inventory can be fairly long, so a good agent should be happy to give you time to go through it in detail before you sign.

Inventories are the evidence that the landlord or agent will use in support of any claim to withhold your deposit funds to pay for repairs or cleaning, so it’s very much in your interest as well as theirs to make sure these documents are accurate and that you sign them. It is also useful to have the check-in inventory to hand when you are preparing to leave to remind you of what should be where and how clean you should leave the property.

Our takeaway

Overall, having an inventory that’s signed by both parties greatly minimises the chance of any disputes at the end of the tenancy and should help ensure your deposit is returned as quickly as possible. For this reason alone, we always advise checking the list thoroughly and making sure you sign it.

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