Best practice for a successful inventory and condition report

It is an essential step when letting a flat or a house. The inventory and condition report must be carried out before the tenant moves in, and again on the day they move out. These are known as the check-in report and the check-out report.
The document must be drawn up in duplicate, one copy for the tenant and one for the landlord. It is vital to take the time to draft the report carefully and precisely. We advise you to include photographs alongside the written information.

Practically anything that could be damaged must be noted in the inventory. This is not limited to objects, as structural features are subject to the same requirement.

As there are many elements to consider, here is an easy-to-follow checklist:

• Damage to walls, floors and ceilings: check for stains, holes, scratches, etc.
• Paintwork: make sure you note the colour and general condition of the paint on the walls.
• Check the light fittings.
• Windows and blinds: are there any chips? Is there any damage to the handles? Open and close every window and every blind.
• Cupboards and doors: check for warped or creaking doors and broken hinges. Open and close every cupboard and every door.
• Taps and fittings: run the taps to check the water pressure and quality.
• For furnished lets, what condition is the furniture in?
• What condition are the household appliances in (dishwasher, washing machine, refrigerator)? Are the sockets working?
• Go outside and remember to check the exterior: the roof and gutters. Are any slates or tiles missing? Do the gutters need cleaning?
• What do the exterior walls look like? Any cracks?
• Garden: make sure all outdoor furniture is taken into account.
• Outbuildings. Remember to check the other parts of the property, such as annexes, cellars or garages.

Mistakes to avoid when preparing inventory and condition reports:

• Rushing to get it over with
• Forgetting to test the equipment
• Producing a report that is too basic, lacking detail and with inadequate descriptions
• Failing to list all the rooms and components of the property
• Not taking photo or video evidence to highlight cleaning issues, damage and maintenance problems.

We advise you to use the services of a professional to carry out the inventory and condition report for your flat or house.
Thanks to our experience in real estate, our team can point out exactly where damage is most likely to occur, ensuring that you do not miss anything important.

How does the check-out report work?

When the tenant leaves the property, another formal inventory and condition report will be drawn up. This report tends to be much simpler than the first, as it is an update of the one drafted when the tenant moved in. It is therefore well worth taking care over the check-in report.