Guest blog by Inventory Hive, a provider of beautifully simple property inspection and 360° tour software.
The reason most deposit disputes occur at the end of tenancy is because tenants are often unaware what is expected from them at check-out. Without clear guidance, tenants assume that when they leave the property, they’ve left it in a condition that is acceptable, but this may not be the case. The best way to avoid the deposit dispute is to ensure they understand exactly what their responsibilities are and what is expected when they leave.
Taking these tips into consideration means you will reduce the likelihood of deposit disputes occurring, and you’ll save time and money in the process (as will your landlord clients). You’ll also maintain a great reputation with your tenant after they leave. Your tenants will find useful advice on how to avoid a deposit dispute and leave the property in an acceptable condition at check-out. There are also five top tips for avoiding a deposit deduction.
Some of the guidance may seem common sense, which really it us but some of these tips can be undermined. Passing these tips onto your tenant will really help educate them to ensure your property and asset is protected, and they aren’t stung with any unexpected charges.
We have created a full comprehensive customisable guide which can be downloaded for free here and shared with your tenants. Additionally, we have included a top 5 avoidable deposit deductions.
Keep a copy of the report
Once your Check-In Inventory has been signed and completed, be sure to keep a copy safe for future reference. In doing so, when it comes to Check-Out you can clearly review and compare the condition and cleanliness of the property when you moved-in, helping you understand what is expected when you Check-Out.
Raise any issues with the property at Check-In
It’s common to be high on emotion when moving house and comparing your Check-In Inventory against the condition of the property is perhaps the last thing on your mind. However, it’s important to raise any problems regarding the property’s condition, cleanliness, or maintenance issues within the first few days of moving-in. For example, if the report noted that the extractor cooker hood was working, but when checked, you noticed it wasn’t, you will need to raise that point straight away. Raising this issue promptly means it can be flagged for repair early within the tenancy. In turn, fixing an issue like this can reduce the build-up of grease and perhaps avoid an unnecessary dispute about condition and cleanliness when you move out.
Understand what is expected at Check-Out
If you understand what is expected at Check-Out right from the start, this gives you some guidance on how you should leave the condition and cleanliness of the property when the tenancy ends. For example, if it states on the Check-In report that the oven was professionally cleaned, then it is expected that you leave the oven in the same cleanliness when you Check-Out. If you are unsure, ask your agent or landlord.
Understand your tenancy agreement
Sometimes tenancy agreements are signed without being reviewed in detail. Although it’s a busy and stressful time, take a moment to read all the clauses in your agreement. For example, it may be the case that the agreement states no pets are allowed in the property during your tenancy, or that clauses must be met for them to be permitted. If you’re unsure of anything, don’t be afraid to ask your landlord or agent.
Raise any issues mid-tenancy so there are no surprises at check-out
Raising issues mid-tenancy as they occur allows for issues to be rectified before they get worse. If you don’t raise these issues until the end of the tenancy, then the landlord or agent may hold you responsible as the issue may have been fixed earlier in the tenancy.
Don’t leave anything behind
You might think that leaving clothes or furniture behind is a beneficial thing for the landlord, but they may be deemed as unwanted goods. This would mean the landlord would have to hire someone to clear the property of the items you have left behind. Even if the items left behind are small, a standard call out fee may be applied, which could be deducted from your deposit.
Using Inventory Hive allows you to create simple cloud-based property reports and 360° virtual tours. You can create unlimited inventories, check-ins, interim visits, comparative check-outs and easy to use 360° virtual tours. Our property reporting platform helps you create simple reports without compromising detail. Our tenant feedback process engages with your tenants which is designed to reduce deposit disputes.
