Refusing to have a professional inventory on a property could be a false economy for landlords.

That’s the view of the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks which argues that although inventories are not yet compulsory, they are a necessary protective measure that can ultimately be financially beneficial.

Daniel Evans, chair of the AIIC and recently re-elected to serve again, explains: “One of the most damaging and widespread narratives in the property industry is that by not having an inventory carried out, you will save money. [But] in reality, no inventory means no financial safeguard. Without this essential record of the state of the property and its contents, landlords put themselves at risk of losing hefty sums of money.

He adds: “The way to save money is not by being frugal, but by understanding the legal requirements needed to let a home and making sure that these are covered in the safest possible way. Inventories provide all parties with exactly this.”

Evans says landlords who conduct their own amateur inventories will inevitably miss some vital details and could be worse than no inventory at all in some circumstances – for example, a court case. 

He continues: “When you have a robust inventory, you will know exactly how the property was at the start of the tenancy and an unbiased comparison of how it is at the end can be made. When deposit disputes arise, landlords must successfully prove that losses and damage occurred during the tenancy to recover any costs. A trained inventory clerk will provide accurate descriptions and time and date stamped photographs that support this.

“The record of the walls, floor, fixtures, fittings, and items in the home will be so detailed they can only lead to an unbiased result.”