agent trying to charge inventory fee - compulsory

qwertyjjj

I have heard about agents trying to charge for inventory checks as part of the move in process.
Presumably, you can just say you don't want this as it is a service. Legally, they can't make it compulsory can they?
If the landlord wants an inventory then they should be charging him not the tenants.

Niv

qwertyjjj wrote: »

I have heard about agents trying to charge for inventory checks as part of the move in process.
Presumably, you can just say you don't want this as it is a service. Legally, they can't make it compulsory can they?
If the landlord wants an inventory then they should be charging him not the tenants.

I would have thought the agent could charge for this if they wanted to. If you chose to use the agent that charges for it is another thing.

Niv

GAH

Every agent is different how they charge it, but if a Landlord wants a prof inventory done,

agent normally charges TT half, or the check in or check out.

IF the landlord is prepared to get a professional inventory done, it at least proves they are professional and care about their property.

Although it is there to benefit both parties, it really benefits the LL more as if they don't have one, they have no leg to stand on if anything goes wrong at the end of the tenancy.

sooz

True, but I'd say it's also of benefit to the tenant to have an impartial professional inventory. To be truly impartial, both parties pay a third party.

qwertyjjj

sooz wrote: »

True, but I'd say it's also of benefit to the tenant to have an impartial professional inventory. To be truly impartial, both parties pay a third party.

Is it really though? For many years before agents figured they could scrimp extra from both parties, people just used to sign the inventory. If the landlord wants a prof inventory then then he should pay for it. As the tenant, you just check it and sign it.

Isn't check in check out classed as a service and can therefore be turned down if you want? It's not rocket science is it taking down conditions of walls, furniture, floors, fittings, etc.

DannyboyMidlands

They can charge what they like. If you don't like the fees, you just find a rental proprty through somebody else.

qwertyjjj

DannyboyMidlands wrote: »

They can charge what they like. If you don't like the fees, you just find a rental proprty through somebody else.

I suppose you can negotiate it off as well.
It's just that, especially in the bigger cities, agents are almost price fixing these fees. If 1 agent charges it, then for sure one down the road will.

GAH

I doubt there will be any room to negotiate a fee on inventories. All professiona inventories should be carried out my an impartial third part (not an agent) so they will need to be paid their fee.

It isn't uncommon for the agent to bang an extra 10% on top of this for themselves as well.

Perelandra

When I am a tenant in a property, I would rather there isn't an inventory at all, as that way the landlord has very little basis for making any deductions at all.

However, if there is going to be an inventory, I would want it to be done by an independent third party, and be as thorough as possible (if that means paying a fee to a professional third party, then so be it).

It is in the LL's interest for the check-in inventory to "miss" things, and for the check-out to be complete. It's in the tenant's interests for the check-in inventory to list every defect in the property, however minor, as this prevents the LL from making unfair deductions at the end.

Would I would be very averse to, from a tenant's point of view, would be to pay for an inventory to be conducted by the LL's agent - i.e. the LA themselves. They act on behalf of the LL, and as indicated above- it is in the LL's interest for the check-in to be incomplete...

qwertyjjj

Perelandra wrote: »

When I am a tenant in a property, I would rather there isn't an inventory at all, as that way the landlord has very little basis for making any deductions at all.

However, if there is going to be an inventory, I would want it to be done by an independent third party, and be as thorough as possible (if that means paying a fee to a professional third party, then so be it).

It is in the LL's interest for the check-in inventory to "miss" things, and for the check-out to be complete. It's in the tenant's interests for the check-in inventory to list every defect in the property, however minor, as this prevents the LL from making unfair deductions at the end.

Would I would be very averse to, from a tenant's point of view, would be to pay for an inventory to be conducted by the LL's agent - i.e. the LA themselves. They act on behalf of the LL, and as indicated above- it is in the LL's interest for the check-in to be incomplete...

10-20 years ago, the landlord did this with the tenant and both signed it. I don't really see how that is any different to having an agency doing it and then the agency making you sign it anyway.
In a small claims court, the signed doc will be the important part regardless.

G_M

Although in theory you could decline to take, or pay for, this service, the reality is that you are then unlikely to be offered a tenancy.

Best advice is to try negotiating the fee downwards in as friendly a way as you can.

Personally I believe this should be a LL expense, but that's just my opinion. Chances are the LL is paying too and doesn't even know 'his' agent is charging 'his' tenant.