Tenant Inventory Check in

zaynab

Hi Everyone,
I am moving to new flat at swanage road, wandsworth through jacksons estate agent but would like help with how to conduct my inventory check in as a tenant. I am aware that Estate agency or third party will have the relevant form which i will need to sign but are there any special dos and donts that i need to remember. Also we have rented furnished but no microwave and dishwasher in flat plus the bathroom ceiling is damp (we have been told landlord is taking care of it) and the rent offer was not accepted by LL so we have to go for what they were asking for.

Any suggestions plz!!

Werdnal

Firstly, did you state the problems with the ceiling in writing, and have you had written confirmation that the work will be done? There are many posts here from new tenants who are disappointed to find that verbal promises of repairs have not been completed when they move in.

When you are given the inventory, read and thoroughly check every point. DO NOT feel rushed into signing it by the agent - hovering over you waving a pen around and looking at his watch. The inventory is the defining document stating what you are getting as part of the property, and each item and room's condition. If you dispute any of the items or the condition of any room, carpet or other fixtures and fittings in the property, refuse to sign it until it is amended. Otherwise, you are accepting the condition, regardless of any damage or repairs necessary, and you could be held liable for the differences at the end of the tenancy.

Regarding the "missing" microwave and dishwasher, if they are not present at the viewing or included on the inventory, the LL has no obligation to supply them.

Whirlee

Normally when I've had a check in done I've been present while the inventory guy has wandered around making notes/using his dicta phone. They're generally separate to the LA and LL.

Then a few days later I've got the actual report with a covering letter giving me 7 days to make any comments/amendments. I've always been really thorough checking not only that what they've written is correct (so for example they recorded some items of furniture that weren't present and said our front door was a different colour), but also making my own comments on the condition of the property. Make sure you move furniture to check the condition of the carpet underneath, as when I moved my bed I found an obvious iron burn that the check in report did not include. I would also be very clear about the state of cleanliness and upkeep of the garden, so that if they criticise the state when you check out you can rely on it being better/the same as when you moved in.

I had friends who failed to report an iron burn on the carpet and got stitched up for a new carpet.

I have never had a LA challenge my comments/amendments, so be thorough and record every negative you can (although obviously don't lie - its wrong).

zaynab

thank you so much for your feedback.

I have been told this morning that landlord wants reference checks for previous landlord however i had filled out information on reference check forms on letsure website. I had a go at estate agency but somehow they believe i did not give info on form anyhow i called letsure n gave them the details because estate agent has told me that we cant move in till the landlord ref is not complete and now m FURIOUS. I have informed my previous landlord to complete the ref ASAP but we had a little tiff with them so i am praying they give a good ref. Has anyone had a bad ref experience from previous landlord? Mine was colet estate hammersmith

Werdnal

zaynab wrote: »

thank you so much for your feedback.

I have been told this morning that landlord wants reference checks for previous landlord however i had filled out information on reference check forms on letsure website. I had a go at estate agency but somehow they believe i did not give info on form anyhow i called letsure n gave them the details because estate agent has told me that we cant move in till the landlord ref is not complete and now m FURIOUS. I have informed my previous landlord to complete the ref ASAP but we had a little tiff with them so i am praying they give a good ref. Has anyone had a bad ref experience from previous landlord? Mine was colet estate hammersmith

Why are you furious? It is normal practice to vet and reference check every tenant and not allow you to move in until everything is cleared. Mistakes happen and things do get overlooked - chill a little! Hopefully this will be the only little niggle you have and the rest of your move goes well.

zaynab

I'm only furious because i filled out all the sections in ref form and dont understand how landlord details were missed out. Anyway i have called letsure and provided the info waiting now to hear from jacksons and praying my previous LL gives good reference

amy104

Also possibly note the cleanliness of the property on the inventory.

When we moved into our rental we had to clean before we could unpack and dispose of the previous tenant rubbish. Although I was very though in checking the condition of the property and all damage had been accounted for it never occured to me to note this.

Not that I intend on leaving the property in the same state mind you, I'm always very through to clean, but if they were to inist on a proffesional clean at least I could say it wasn't done when we moved in.

Good advice re feeling rushed. When we moved in this time the inventory clerk was 3 hours late so I was already unpacking but its really important to take the time to check things properly.

zaynab

i am in DEEP trouble as my previos landlord has given reference that they would not let to us again because i paid late rent due to chnage in jobs. i have spoken to my previous landlord and she is not budging even after getting reference from her twice and the new landlord is uncomfortable with that and not letting us move on friday which is tmorrow. we rstaying with friend but commitment was 5 days only and now i don know wat to do. i feel previous landlord is just being nasty and i begged her as its not as if i never paid rent i did only cuz my job changed and i informed her beforehand but still she says no. new estate agent says its not her problem and doesn want explainations. is there anything i can do legally or is thre anyother way?? new landlord does not want guarantor and is not happy with previous LL reference n now we r homeless
HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

thegirlintheattic

Don't think there is any legal action you can take. Previous landlord is within her rights to give a true reference (you did pay rent late) and she doesn't have to include the reason you gave her for that. The new LL is also well within their rights not to want you as a tenant because you have a bad reference, whilst you might not see the problem, the LL will want someone that will pay the rent every month no excuses, the fact that you did not have the means to pay the rent when you were changing jobs also will be a red flag to the LL.

DVardysShadow

The only recourse you have against the former Landlord is if you paid the rent late by prior agreement, in which case the reference should reflect that accurately, rather than stating simply that the rent was paid late.

zaynab

Well, I am too disgusted with jacksons estate agents as they informed me that I cannot move to property just two days before my moving date and my previous LL of course stick to their grounds but still i needed a written confirmation from jacksons that LL is not letting me move to new place cuz of my previous LL reference which they never did. They put the proeprty back on market and never replied my email or calls and there is no update as to what will happen to our deposit because it due to LL that we didnt move and not our fault. Secondly, no written confirmation about why we cant move to property??I am able to give UK based guarantor but was told LL is not comfortable with it.
I am homeless now
any suggestions