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.