What is an Inventory and who needs one?
All landlord's should have an inventory carried out on any tenanted property, our assessor's can complete reports for private landlords or any letting agents.
What is a SMART Inventory Report?
A SMART Inventory provides a fair, objective and impartial record of the general condition of the contents of the property as well as its internal condition at the outset of the lease of the property.
What are the benefits of using this report?
The importance of a professional inventory and statement of condition cannot be underestimated. Government advice indicates that Inventories and statements of condition are "strongly recommended" as a means to reduce dispute about the deposit at the end of a tenancy. It is in the Tenant's interests to carefully check this SMART Inventory In-going Report and to highlight any discrepancies as soon as possible and in any event no later than one week after this SMART Inventory In-going Report is completed. Any outstanding discrepancies found at the end of the tenancy will be highlighted in a SMART Inventory Out-going Report and may affect the retention or release of the tenancy deposit.
Is the report aimed at the Landlord or the Tenant?
Because the SMART Inventory In-going Report is objective and carried out by an independent Inventory Provider, it may be relied upon and used by the Landlord, the Tenant and Letting Agent.
What does this report tell you?
This SMART Inventory In-going Report provides a clear and easy to follow statement of condition for each of the main elements of the property on a room by room basis, together with its contents if appropriate. This report comments on and highlights defects or aspects of poor condition that have been identified by the Inventory Provider. Defects in condition will either be described in the narrative of the report or evidenced in the photographs included in the report. Please Note: where no comment on the condition of an element or item of contents is made by the Inventory Provider, the element or item is taken to be in good condition and without defect.
What does this report NOT tell you?
Whilst every effort is made to ensure objectivity and accuracy, this SMART Inventory In-going Report provides no guarantee of the adequacy, compliance with standards or safety of any contents or equipment. This report will provide a record that such items exist in the property as at the date of the SMART Inventory In-going Report and the superficial condition of same. This report is not a building survey, a structural survey or a valuation, will not necessarily mention structural defects and does not give any advice on the cost of any repair work, or the types of repair which should be used.
What is inspected and not inspected?
The Inventory Provider carries out a visual inspection of the inside of the main building together with any contents and will carry out a general inspection of the remainder of the building including the exterior cosmetic elements and any permanent outbuildings. For properties let on an unfurnished basis, the inspection will include floor coverings, curtains, curtain tracks, blinds and kitchen appliances if appropriate, but will exclude other contents. Gardens and their contents will be inspected and reported upon. The inspection is 'non-invasive'. This means that the Inventory Provider does not take up carpets, floor coverings or floor boards, move large items of furniture, test services, remove secured panels or undo electrical fittings. Especially valuable contents such as antiques, personal items or items of jewelry are excluded from this report. Kitchenware will be inspected but individual items will not be condition rated. Common parts in relation to flats, exterior structural elements of the main building and the structure of any outbuildings will not be inspected. Roof spaces and cellars are not inspected. Areas which are locked or where full access is not possible, for example, attics or excessively full cupboards or outbuildings are not inspected.
