Archives April 2021

Although the majority of tenancies end with no problems, a checkout report can bring ultimate peace of mind to both the landlord and the tenant. And if there is a problem at this potentially sensitive time, the checkout report is there to help – it is an unbiased record of exactly what the state of the property was when the tenant moved out. 

When you have a checkout completed by an independent inventory clerk such as the experts at Looksy Inventories, landlords and tenants can avoid most disputes. If there is still a problem, the report itself is the evidence needed if you choose to take the case to adjudication with the TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme). It’s clear that having a checkout carried out at the right time by the right professional inventory company is crucial. 

What Is A Checkout Report?

Before we go any further into exactly what landlords need a checkout report carried out, let’s delve a little deeper into what this report actually is and what it entails. Essentially, the checkout inventory report is a thorough record of the condition of the property once the current tenants have moved out. Every room is inspected, and a report is made on the state of how the tenant left it. This report provides all the evidence needed to justify any deduction that the landlord might need to make for repairs or other issues that the tenant’s time in the property has meant needs to be done. It will also show the landlord what work needs to be done before they can rent the property out again. 

When compared to the full inventory report that your inventory clerk did at the start of the tenancy, the checkout report makes it easy to see what changes have occurred – good and bad – within the property and a full assessment as to the landlord’s next steps can be made. If there is a dispute, both documents together will form the main evidence in an adjudication process, and if either is missing, the TDS is more than likely going to give the tenant the benefit of the doubt because who’s to say when the damage was caused and who by? It could have been there when they moved in unless the checkout and inventory prove otherwise. 

What Does A Checkout Report Include? 

A checkout report will give you a detailed description of the cleanliness, overall maintenance, and specific damage within a property. At Looksy Inventories, every checkout report is meticulous and thorough and will contact photographs as well as in-depth descriptions. 

It’s hard for a landlord to be objective when it comes to their property, especially if they have owned it for some time, or perhaps they once lived in it themselves, and it can often be hard to determine what is damage and what is fair wear and tear (something that you cannot claim for). The checkout report will make it clear so that the landlord can decide on their next course of action. 

What Are The Benefits Of A Checkout? 

As a landlord, it could be tempting to bypass the checkout altogether. After all, if you have the full inventory report completed, is there any need for the checkout? Can’t you just move on after the tenant leaves? Of course, it’s always down to you; it’s your property and your business, but there are many benefits to having a checkout report, and here are some of them:

• An independent checkout expert shows your tenant you are being fair 
• A tenant is much more likely to agree to any issues if a third party completes the checkout report
• A checkout report promotes a positive landlord-tenant relationship 
• A checkout report will reduce unnecessary costs and save the landlord time 
• The checkout will ensure a much smoother transition from one tenant to the next, ensuring you have less time with an empty property on your hands 

At Looksy Inventories, we are thoroughly trained and highly experienced when it comes to checkouts. We can provide an independent, thorough, and easy-to-read report that will give you the confidence you need to take the next step, whatever that might be. It’s not easy to be a landlord at times, and anything that can be done to assist you is important; the checkout is one of these things. 

Contact Looksy Inventories For Your Checkout Report 

When you need a checkout for your rental property, don’t hesitate to contact Looksy Inventories. We are independent, unbiased, and offer great prices on all our reports. You can trust that no matter what you need us for, we can be there for you. 

If you are a landlord with an unfurnished property to rent out, you might not think that an inventory report will be necessary. After all, the term ‘inventory report’ does make it seem as though it will be a list of everything in the property, and if there’s nothing there… the logic tracks. 

Yet that’s not exactly what an inventory is when it comes to property. It’s how it began, of course, but it has evolved, and now the property inventory is not just linked to items but to condition. This is crucial. A landlord has the right to expect their property to be returned to them in the same state that you rented it out. The inventory report taken before the tenant moves in will be matched to the check-out report, and any differences noted down. It is then between the landlord and the tenant to decide if the problems are large enough to warrant any deduction from the initial deposit. If there is a dispute about the matter, the inventory and check-out reports can be used as evidence, and the TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme) can easily determine who is at fault and whether or not the tenant should receive some or all of their money back. 

So when you ask whether an unfurnished property needs an inventory, the answer is yes. Hopefully you won’t have to use it, but it’s better to have the property inventory and not need it than to need it and not have it. Without an inventory, the tenant will always get their full deposit back since there is just no proof that any changes or damage occurred during their tenancy. 

Other Items In An Unfurnished Property 

You might think that an unfurnished property is completely empty, but that may not be the case. There are other items that you may not have considered, and they include: 

• White good (fridges etc.)

• Doors/door frames

• Windows

• Locks

• Smoke detectors

• Light fittings

• Electrical sockets

• Kitchen and bathroom fittings

Your ‘unfurnished property’ still contains some items, and they must be accounted for. That’s why an inventory report for an unfurnished property is just as crucial as an inventory report for a part or fully furnished property. 

Can You Afford To Take The Risk? 

As a landlord in Sevenoaks or beyond, are you willing to take the risk and not have a detailed, thorough property inventory report carried out by unbiased professionals such as those at Looksy Inventories? Can you afford not to do this? With Looksy and our low prices, it’s easy to choose the right thing; an inventory report on any rental property is worth its weight in gold. 

Contact Looksy Inventories today to find out more and book your inventory. Or pass our details on to your letting agent; we’re more than happy to liaise with them to give you the best service. 

Property inspections are, perhaps surprisingly, one of the most important elements of property maintenance when you are a landlord. Remember, your property is an investment and needs to be looked at as a business; that means you need to take as much care of it as possible. Interim property inspections with a report to back up what is found are essential as they will enable you to run your property business correctly. These checks are essentially a piece of admin that will help everything run much more smoothly. Read on to find out more. 

The Benefits Of Regular Property Inspections 

The first benefit of regular property inspections – which, of course, can (and should) be carried out by an experienced inventory clerk for a completely unbiased view, as well as being time-savings – is that they will give you an overview of how the tenant is treating your property. If the house or flat is in good condition, you’ll have peace of mind that all is well and there is nothing you need to do. If problems are uncovered during the interim inspection, you’ll know that you need to do something. What that something is will be your choice, of course, but it’s far better to know early than to get a nasty surprise when the tenant leaves and all the issues that you didn’t know about because there had been no interim property inspections come to the fore. 

Property inspections also help maintain a good relationship between the landlord and the tenant. Far from being a way for the landlord to check up on the tenant, it should actually be seen as a way to strengthen the relationship. After all, for the tenant, this is how they can know that the landlord cares about the property and their happiness within it. It allows the tenant to speak up if they have any issues too. Some tenants are worried about mentioning problems that fall under the landlord’s remit since they are concerned they might be asked to leave. If the problems are spotted during the regular property inspections, they don’t have to say anything – the report will make it all clear. 

Other reasons to have property inspections carried out regularly include: 

• Ensuring the tenants are complying with the tenancy agreement
• Making sure no illegal activities are taking place 
• Building a good relationship with the tenants 
• Ensuring the building is in good condition and that any issues are dealt with quickly 
• Showing that you are a good landlord who fulfils their responsibilities 
• Creating a report that, should any disputes arise, can be used as evidence 

How To Make Property Inspections Easier 

It takes time to conduct a thorough property inspection. You’ll need to do a complete walk-through of the property, checking every room, even cupboard, everything. Although not quite as big a job as a full inventory report, it’s still going to take a few hours. Or at least, it should if you’re doing it right. 

This is why it’s best to engage a fully trained, highly experienced inventory clerk to carry out regular interim property inspections for you. 

At Looksy Inventories, we have the most up-to-date inventory software to enable us to create a report ‘on the go’, ensuring that you have the results of our property inventories quickly and efficiently. And our prices are excellent too. Contact us today to discuss your interim property inspections and find out more about our full range of property inventory services.