The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks says it still believes there is an opportunity for the government to introduce mandatory inventory reporting across the private rental sector.
The association has been campaigning for two years on the issue, which it says would ensure greater protection for agents, landlords and tenants, as well as providing higher professional standards.
So far the AIIC has petitioned and lobbied the government, carried out educational talks on the subject and met with deposit protection and property redress schemes.
“We're knocking on all of the relevant doors to make compulsory inventory reporting a reality in the private rented sector” says Danny Zane, Chair of the AIIC.
“The importance of impartial check-ins and check-outs taking place at the start and end of each tenancy cannot be underestimated. As rents rise and subsequently push up the value of average security deposits, it's vital that the tenant's money and landlord's investment are offered the required protection.”
“Of course, even tenancies using zero deposit schemes can end in dispute or with property damage when the tenancy ends” he says.
“Wider adoption of independent inventories will contribute towards fewer deposit disputes, while these documents remain invaluable in the event that a disagreement between landlord and tenant is referred to a deposit protection scheme.”
With a ban on upfront letting agent fees charged to tenants as well as a six-week cap on security deposits both likely to become law next year, the AIIC says legislation around inventory reporting would complement these policies.
“In order for the deposit cap to be truly effective, landlords and tenants need to be sure that the money is protected not only by a deposit protection scheme, but by an impartial inventory which provides full details of the property’s condition” adds Zane, who is also managing director of My Property Inventories.
“Moreover, if rents rise due to the ban on fees as expected, then typical damage deposits will increase as a result. This means landlords will need to be able to call upon an inventory to prove deductions. At the same time, higher sums of tenants’ money will be at risk and so they will need the assurance that it’s protected by impartiality,” he says.
Over the coming months, the AIIC says it will continue to campaign for mandatory independent inventory reporting by raising awareness and meeting with opinion formers.
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Will the AIIC stop "flogging the dead horse" on this in a blatant attempt to protect it's own interests. Inventories have been and will continue to be done by agents and landlords on software which is equal to that of the AIIC. Adding in another additional expense to the PRS when it is being hammered on all sides is not helpful and is counter- productive. The AIIC is worried that the fee ban will force agents to bring inventories back in house and thus it's members lose work. So it's trying to mandate it.
Funny how the PRS didn't take seriously my ordeal following a complaint raised about their member who hasn't even provided an inventory checklist nor even any receipts to validate the expenditure I was billed for through them.
It's utterly bewildering and absurd that the Redress Scheme pushes for these reforms and legislation yet when it's clear one of their own members doesn't abide by them they fail to tackle them except to say and I quote "We've flagged him on the system for the next time this agent comes up."
Great help that is for the next poor chap and tenants who get caught up in this rogue estate agent's fraudulent activities including gas safety breaches that their own hired engineers are responsible for (and justified in a text message that it was normal practise for a certificate to signed off AFTER tenants moved in).
The Property Redress Scheme are in no position to be calling for these reforms when they freely let a shark of their own let loose.
I look at these inventories when a new tenant arrives I see a lot of p--s poor pictures and a report from someone who barely knows how the mechanics of a house work. The pictures are not good enough to define fair wear and tare. I have had cases of useless fridges where the tenant has deiced them with a hammer and released all the freon. Apparently you need a gmvq in switching technology and instructions on when to turn the switch on and how to be sure the fridge coils are cooling. I have had a small water leak go undetected at the start of a new let which caused £1,ooo of damage. They don't know what dangerous electrics are. You need a qualified electrician and pay £100 plus for a report. I am one and I am paying them for the inspection which could easily cover all I want to know for a safety test.
The only people who get anything out of these reports are the letting agent who uses them to completely dodge doing any work against a bad tenant or for the landlord.
This is legislation we can profitably do without.
What another load of tripe. Professional Landlords provide an Inventory for the tenant on Move In. Signed and dated. The tenant then is given instructions to make notes on their copy of the Inventory. This is then returned to the agent or landlord for any action or not. On Check Out tenant will be present with his Inventory and the landlord or agent with his and on how the property has been left can easily be compared. Simple. What is being proposed is just yet another money grabbing exercise.
Good professional landlord will NOT charge for a Check Out.
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