Do all rentals usually have inventories?

aliasojo

We're getting ready to sign a lease and there has been no mention of an inventory.

It's in Scotland if it makes any diffence, it's a solicitor firm who deals with lettings too that is handling the let and it's a Church of Scotland owned property (unfurnished).

Thoughts please? I'm a first time renter so not sure if this is usual/unusual/worthy of concern?

clivejohnson

if the property is unfurnished, then not having any inventory is the norm. What you should have however, is a schedule of condition, which outlines and defects/dilapidations left by the previous tenant (if any). Read it carefully, check the defects in the property against those listed, and if possible, take photographs in case of any dispute. Also check for any defects that *are not* listed and tell the letting agent. Again, take photos if possible.

HTH

EDIT: you have an inventory if the property is fully furnished.

Werdnal

I'm not sure if Scottish law differs, but we let an unfurnished flat in England, and we have an inventory. How else would a landlord be able to prove the state of the carpets and decore at start and end of tenancy. We list every room and state the condition of the carpets, wallcoverings and include curtains and lampshades. We also have fire extinguishers and a fire blanket in the kitchen area, smoke detectors, a shower curtain and rail and bathroom cabinet - all of which are included. We also mention each room's paint colour and condition and detail damage present when a tenant takes on the let, so they cannot be held responsible for it at the end.

I think even in unfurnished lets it is wise to have something in writing, otherwise tenant could strip everything out of the property at the end of the tenancy, and LL would not be able to prove what was present at the start.

Maybe someone with knowledge of the Scottish regs could comment further.

Callie22

Aliasjo, this is a bit off topic but I couldn't help but notice that you're renting a Church owned property. My partner and I did this a few years ago thinking that it would be a great option for a long term, well-maintained rental. It ended up being a real nightmare (not that I'm saying this will be!) but there were lots of problems and we had an absolutely dreadful time trying to get anything done with the house - the Church Elders said it wasn't their responsibility, the local Synod said it wasn't theirs, the Church Elders needed to deal with it. Problem was, the Church Elders were all pensioners who really didn't have a clue about being landlords (and didn't want to know) and the agency was taking them for a ride. I would strongly recommend that you get a named point of contact within the Synod (or whatever the Church of Scotland equivalent is) for any problems with the property, even if it's being 'managed' by an agency.

I would also double, triple check that the property isn't likely to be sold any time soon. We were assured that the house we moved into (an old Manse) wasn't, and it was going to be a *very* long term tenancy ... only to find out that the agency had hidden from us the fact that the Church was selling the property and it had been up for sale even before we moved in.

Sorry to go OT, but I wouldn't want anyone else to be messed around the way we were. I really don't mean to sound dismal (I'd imagine you're stressed enough as it is) but I wish someone had told us these things before we rented from a church.

G_M

A landlord who does not get a signed agreement (call it an inventory, schedule of condition, the name does not matter) detailing the contents and condition of the propery is a fool.

Without it the LL cannot easily make deductions from the deposit for missing items, damage etc at the end of the tenancy, as he cannot prove it was not like that at the start.

so if you are a tenant and your're not asked to sign..... whatever, your only concern is that you are dealing with a foolhardy/amateur landlord.

aliasojo

Callie22 wrote: »

Aliasjo, this is a bit off topic but I couldn't help but notice that you're renting a Church owned property. My partner and I did this a few years ago thinking that it would be a great option for a long term, well-maintained rental. It ended up being a real nightmare (not that I'm saying this will be!) but there were lots of problems and we had an absolutely dreadful time trying to get anything done with the house.

We'd been looking for ages and time was running out tbh. This wasn't perfect but was the best of a bad bunch. Some of the other properties were shocking, I have no idea how the owners thought they'd get £800/£900 pcm for them.

It's only going to be a stop gap to get us into the area. Hopefully we'll be able to get something more permanent after a year. We can put up with things till then if need be. I think. :rotfl:

G_M wrote: »

so if you are a tenant and your're not asked to sign..... whatever, your only concern is that you are dealing with a foolhardy/amateur landlord.

Good to know, thanks.

tbs624

The good news is that in Scotland PRS housing has to reach a certain standard and since 2007 LLs can be reported to the PRHP ( Private Rented Housing Panel) if repairs are not made as and when necessary. See http://www.prhpscotland.gov.uk/prhp/138.26.31.html

pavlovs_dog

glad to know you've found something, hope the move is as stressfree as possible