Landlords - Inventory Service
Book an Inventory
To book an Inventory today or to find out more, visit one of our branches or contact
020 8333 5252or email Oaklets - mail@oaklets.co.uk
Our Prices
Unfurnished:
- Studio
- = £95 +VAT
- 1 bed
- = £110 +VAT
- 2 bed
- = £130 +VAT
- 3 bed
- = £160 +VAT
- 4 bed+
- = £25 +VAT
per half hour
Furnished
- Studio
- = £105 +VAT
- 1 bed
- = £120 +VAT
- 2 bed
- = £140 +VAT
- 3 bed
- = £170 +VAT
- 4 bed+
- = £25 +VAT
per half hour
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Are you thinking of letting out your property or already have it on the market? |
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Do you value your property and its contents? |
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Will you be taking a security deposit as protection against damage? |
If you answered yes to all of these questions then make sure you remember to ask Oaklets to carry out an Inventory of your property as soon as possible.
The new Tenant Deposit Protection Scheme makes having an Inventory vital as claims
on deposits are unlikely to succeed without written evidence. So not having an
Inventory would be like not taking a security deposit at all.
- All our Inventories include colour digital photos.
- All our Inventories are professionally presented and bound.
- All our Inventories are carried out by experienced, professionally trained Inventory Clerks.
What is Tenancy Deposit Protection
From 6th April 2007 all security deposits taken in connection with Assured Shorthold Tenancies must be protected in a government - authorised scheme. It has been introduced so that:
- Tenants get all or part of their deposit back when they are entitled to it.
- Any disputes between tenants and landlords or agents will be easier to resolve.
- Tenants are encouraged to look after the property they are renting.
How does it work?
At the beginning of a new tenancy, the tenant pays the deposit to the landlord or agent as usual who must then ensure it is protected accordingly. There are three schemes to choose from:
- The single custodial scheme, where the deposit is held by the scheme until the end of the tenancy, and is free to use.
- Or one of two insurance-based schemes where the landlord or agent keeps the deposit and pays a fee to the scheme to insure against their failure to repay money to the tenant.
The landlord or agent must provide the tenants with details of how the deposit is being protected within 14 days of taking it. These include:
- The contact details of the chosen scheme.
- The landlord or agents contact details.
- How to apply for the release of the deposit.
- Information explaining the purpose of the deposit.
- What to do if there is a dispute about the deposit.
Failure to comply with the above could result in the landlord being ordered by the court to pay the tenant three times the deposit amount. The landlord will also lose their automatic right to regain possession of the property at the end of the tenancy unless they have protected the deposit in the correct way.
To reduce the likelihood of disputes it is recommended that the following actions are taken before the commencement of the tenancy:
- Agree a detailed list (Inventory) of contents (furniture and fittings)
- Record the condition of the property and its content (photographs are a good idea)
- Understand the circumstances in which a claim could be made on a deposit and what would be classed as fair wear and tear.
At the end of the tenancy, the condition and contents of the property should be checked against the Inventory. The landlord or agent should agree with the tenant how much of the deposit will be returned. The tenant should then receive the agreed amount within 10 days. If no agreement can be made about how much of the deposit should be returned, there will be a free arbitration service offered by the chosen scheme to help resolve disputes, at this point the disputed amount will be held by the scheme until a decision has be reached.
