Inventory Clerk - who pays?

dll

About to sign on a rental flat. The flat is managed by an agent. They arrange for a professional inventory clerk at the beginning of the tenancy at the cost of the landlord. The contract seems to say that the cost for the inventory clerk at the end of the tenancy is the tenant's responsibility - is this standard?

chewmylegoff

dll wrote: »

About to sign on a rental flat. The flat is managed by an agent. They arrange for a professional inventory clerk at the beginning of the tenancy at the cost of the landlord. The contract seems to say that the cost for the inventory clerk at the end of the tenancy is the tenant's responsibility - is this standard?

my current one is the other way around, i.e. landlord pays for the check out, tenant for the check in. it seems fair enough for the cost to be split between the two parties because the inventory is for both of you.

that said, i have had one in the past where the tenant was expected to pay for the check in and check out inventory, but didn't complain because the other charges were very low.

dll

Thanks, chewmylegoff.

Good to know that it is quite standard- any idea how much it costs (it's a 2 bed flat)?

chewmylegoff

will depend on where you are in the country. think mine was £100+VAT or something for a 2 bed flat in london. just ask the agent if you want an accurate estimate.

you could ask to pay for the check in and have the landlord pay the check out just so you know what the cost is and get it out the way, rather than getting a nasty surprise at the end of the tenancy when you find that check out fees have tripled since you moved in...

princeofpounds

There is no standard procedure. In one sense it should really be the responsibility of the landlord as they are for his/her benefit, but the most common practice I have seen is for one party to pay at the beginning and the other at the end.

sharpee

I just moved out a 3 bed house and paid £100 + VAT for the Check out inventory

N79

In my view it is normal for a LL to pay for the check in inventory as it is for their benefit.

A check out inventory is only needed when the LL is going to make deductions and if there are indeed valid deductions then the cost of the inventory will be one of them so the T will pay.

I can not see the point of a check out inventory when no deductions are required other than to line the pockets of the agent?

adg1

Normally:

The inventory is the responsibility of the landlord.

The Check-In is the responsibility of the Landlord.

The Check-Out is the responsibility of the Tenant.

A check-in/out costs around £100+vat depending on where you go.

adg1

N79 wrote: »

I can not see the point of a check out inventory when no deductions are required other than to line the pockets of the agent?

The Tenant has up to 90 days to make any claims after their deposit has been released from the schemes. Without a check out the LL will have no proof the claims are unfounded.

N79

adg1 wrote: »

The Tenant has up to 90 days to make any claims after their deposit has been released from the schemes. Without a check out the LL will have no proof the claims are unfounded.

On what can the T claim?

chewmylegoff

N79 wrote: »

I can not see the point of a check out inventory when no deductions are required other than to line the pockets of the agent?

how do you know that no deductions are necessary unless you have a check out inventory done though?