Check it out

Unlike the property sales market where completions usually take place on a Friday, lettings may start throughout the week and tenants often arrange for the move to span a few days as one tenancy ends and another starts.  

On moving day itself, the letting agent will arrange with the tenant to carry out the ‘checking in’ process.   

Gaynor Mitchell of Henry Adams Lettings in Horsham and Haywards Heath is a qualified professional in inventory preparation and regularly liaises with tenants from the start of their tenancy.  

“We prepare a comprehensive and professional inventory and schedule of condition for all of our properties. I will generally prepare and complete an inventory and schedule of condition a couple of days prior to the tenancy starting.  

“An average sized two bedroom flat would be covered in around 20 pages or more so it’s very detailed about the colour and condition throughout, although a furnished property would naturally be much more involved,” explained Gaynor, who compiles inventories on an iPad so it goes straight on to a ‘cloud based’ database which is easy to refer back to for future property visits and the check out at the end. 

“Once the inventory is signed and agreed by the tenant as they move in, we take the meter readings and notify the main utility suppliers if a landlord has instructed us on a ‘Full Management’ or ‘Rent Administration’ basis. If we are asked by a landlord just to introduce a tenant, then the landlord will arrange these items.  Generally we find tenants prefer to have a robust and comprehensive inventory which sets out the facts as they move in and means they are far less likely to have disputes later on.” 

A formal check-in procedure with a professional, comprehensive inventory will help cover both landlord and tenant against disagreements later on. 

For professional advice about any aspect of property investment, letting, or becoming a landlord or a tenant, contact one of your local branches of Henry Adams Lettings in Horsham (01403 282500), Haywards Heath, Billingshurst or Storrington, or visit the comprehensive advice pages of their website at www.henryadams.co.uk.