Inventory - when to sign?

sirhan_sirhan

Further to previous postings, our move remains on for this weekend.

Agent has however advised that they have no-one available to check us into the property. They have suggested that we visit their offices on Saturday, to sign the inventory, and pick up the keys. We then have seven days in which to notify them of any discrepancies on the inventory.

Have never come across this before, is it usual? Preference would be to sign nothing until I have physically inspected the property myself; although the seven days for notifying does give some recourse in the event of any issues.
Am I worrying over nothing? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

00ec25

if you have 7 days to lodge any dispute then I would argue with them that the following achieves exactly the same end result but removes the signing before inspection issue:
you will collect the inventory on saturday, do your inspection over the next 7 days and then return the following Saturday when you will sign the inventory in their office at that time!

Jowo_2

Don't sign a thing until you have inspected the property and follow their instruction to return it within a week with any amendments.

Some tenants fail to do this simple task when trusted to do it without supervision, fail to return it and then the landlord is in trouble when they trash the place because they cannot make any deductions without proof of the condition of the property on entry. This is probably why your agent is nervous about handing over the keys without a signature but its hardly your problem if they have resource issues to do this task.

I understand some tenancy agreements have a clause which states that failure to sign and return the inventory within 7 days is taken as authorisation that the inventory is correct. Not sure if that's legally binding but that is one workaround to the failure of tenants to perform simple adminstrative tasks like completing the inventory and returning it.

sirhan_sirhan

Thanks for the responses.

I see where you are coming from, but am I really losing anything by signing then advising of discrepancies? Only downside that I can see is if I forget to advise. Can't see that happening.

Am a bit reluctant to dig my heals in on this; as I have done so on other issues, and eventually got my way. Don't want to mark myself out as a problem tenant from the start, as agent could make my life hell if they wanted. Would rather reach an agreement that pleases all, if possible.

How about if I were to sign “subject to inspection”, and then subsequently advise the agent that inspection backed up the signed inventory, or alternatively advise of any discrepancies?

Jowo_2

I'm still worried about the principle of the thing - signing what amounts to be a legal contract - without having a view of what you are signing for and then trusting that they accept the subsequent amendment.

jayss

Who decides the discrepencies are correct?

Missing items is (hopefully)straightforward but the condition of things not so much.

00ec25

jayss wrote: »

Who decides the discrepencies are correct?

Missing items is (hopefully)straightforward but the condition of things not so much.

good point, at the risk if insutling the Op's intelligence as the LA will not be there to mutually agree condition of items then take photos of every single thing on the inventory and make sure the picture is dated so you have evidence to support any comments you make

sigining subject to inspection may have a legal standing but this would only be clarified during court action and the real issue remains what will the LA or LL do if you dispute items on the inventory which they have not themselves seen, hence the photos

theartfullodger

I would be prepared to sign the inventory before seeing the property, adding something like "Property not yet examined", but only if I got a copy of the inventory.

I would then, when in occupation, go through it in real, real detail checking everything for condition, the slightest scratch etc. etc. and unless something is absolutely brand-new and unblemished note "used" or "slightly marked". I'd also photograph each blemish/stain/whatever and cut a CD with the images and sign it & get a witness to sign and date it also.

Then write a letter to the agent listing items (all..) you disagree about, sent by email - within the 7 days !! - or by letter-recorded-signed-for . If they refuse to accept your version, fine, that can be looked at when the deposit dispute process (see
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TenancyDeposit/index.htm
) kicks in, if it does. You will have your evidence.

For what it's worth, an agent who manages one property for me gives the tenant a copy, signed & dated, of the inventory with printed images of all key items, also signed & dated. Works for me.

Cheers!

Lodger (A Landlord).

G_M

Do not sign until you've inspected the property and agee with what's on the inventory.
Simple as that.

PROFESSIONAL_LANDLORD

Agent has however advised that they have no-one available to check us into the property. They have suggested that we visit their offices on Saturday, to sign the inventory, and pick up the keys. We then have seven days in which to notify them of any discrepancies on the inventory.

Great idea! ask them if you can 'sign yourself out' when you leave, and pick up your deposit at their office ? :rolleyes:

What if there's discrepancies with the meter readings? how does the heating work? where's the stopcock in case of a flood?


> shake's head <...................... amateurs.

sirhan_sirhan

Many thanks for all of the responses. You are all quite correct, and I shouldn't sign anything without inspection. Will advise the agent of this.

As regards how central heating etc work, we have an appointment with the LL tonight, where they will show us how to operate the tractor, maintain the pool etc. Have a list of other questions to go through with them then.

Thanks again for taking the time to advise.