Documenting your property’s condition on day one to protect your deposit
Moving into a new home is always an exciting time, and we know you’ve probably got plenty going on! But before you fully settle in, we want to make sure you give a little attention to something that can make a big difference later on: your inventory.
Check your inventory
Sometimes deposit deductions arise because the condition of the property was not recorded accurately upon arrival. We issue you with a detailed photo inventory when you move in, a document that records everything in the house and shows the condition of each item. It's your responsibility to check the document and note down anything that might have been missed.
- Set aside time to walk around each room.
- Check your photo inventory against what you can see.
- Take photos of anything not listed and add this to the inventory report – you are welcome to annotate the inventory but please ensure the annotations are supported with photographs.
- The more detail, the better – don’t worry about being overly picky! Too often we hear “I didn’t think that was worth mentioning when I moved in”...and unfortunately, that’s exactly how disputes arise at the end of the tenancy.
- Once you are satisfied you have added your supporting photos and comments, digitally sign the report.
Maintenance
Upon entry to the property, if you find any issues with cleanliness or rubbish (left inside or outside), this must be reported directly to our Woodville Road office on 02920 668585 within 48 hours of key collection. This allows us to arrange for contractors to return and resolve the issue, if necessary.
There are sometimes other snagging issues which crop up when you move into a property. It’s important that you don’t use your inventory to report maintenance as it will need to be reported through the proper channels to reach our maintenance team.