Rental Check Out Inspections

sharpee

Ok is there are specific guidelines as to when a check out inspection should be carried out on a rental property?

Would it be usual to expect it to occur on the last day of tenancy (or next working day if it falls on a Bank Holiday)?

Lovelyjoolz

I would suggest having a check out inspection at least 2 weeks before the end of the tenancy. That way any potential deposit retention problems can be highlighted and there is time for them to be sorted out before the end of the tenancy.

This works well for both T & LL as it could avoid arguments later about whether the deposit is returned or not.

pmlindyloo

Lovelyjoolz wrote: »

I would suggest having a check out inspection at least 2 weeks before the end of the tenancy. That way any potential deposit retention problems can be highlighted and there is time for them to be sorted out before the end of the tenancy.

This works well for both T & LL as it could avoid arguments later about whether the deposit is returned or not.

Although I can see where you are coming from I totally disagree with this.

Anything could occur during the last two weeks of the tenancy and from both LL and tenant's point of view this could cause problems.

Yes, have the LL/LA visit a few weeks before the end of the tenancy to enable you to sort out any potential problems but have the actual check out done on the last day of the tenancy.

G_M

An informal visit by the landlord/agent a week or two before the tenancy ends can be helpful for both sides, but the formal check-out inspection should not be done before the end of the tenancy.

What if the tenant removes the washing machine and fridge when he leaves, having obtained a signed copy of the inspection saying all is OK?!!

Ideally, last day or next day, but some agents/LLs do it later.

Of course the longer a LL/agent leaves it, the more open they become to a claim by the tenant that any damage done was caused between the end of the tenancy and the date of the inspection......

tbs624

As G_M and pmlindyloo say.

See OPs other thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/53872873#Comment_53872873

sharpee

So we're only a week away from moving out and cannot get a date and time out of our LL for our Check ou inspection.

Very frustrating

pmlindyloo

If you are not there when the final check out inspection is done then make sure you take plenty of dated photographs as evidence. Stupid things like 'down the loo', the oven etc etc are a good idea.

As you can tell I believe that there are some LLs that you just cannot trust!

I hope you have a detailed inventory that was completed when you moved in (actually if you haven't that's even better as the LL cannot prove anything!) plus I hope your deposit is being protected.

Bossworld

Lovelyjoolz wrote: »

I would suggest having a check out inspection at least 2 weeks before the end of the tenancy. That way any potential deposit retention problems can be highlighted and there is time for them to be sorted out before the end of the tenancy.

This works well for both T & LL as it could avoid arguments later about whether the deposit is returned or not.

We tried for something similar, ours ends sometime in July but we've already moved out as we've bought a house.

Letting agent wouldn't have any of it, said they always do it the day after the tenancy ends. So not only are we wasting over a month of rent, they could still try and shaft us on the deposit despite the sensible thing being a couple of weeks early, and if there's no probs we give the keys straight back at that point.

Suppose we got the last laugh, got a frantic call this morning, apparently they'd done a viewing and got themselves locked in, had to call a colleague out to vault the fence as they didn't notice the spare back door key hanging up :rotfl:

Werdnal

Bossworld wrote: »

We tried for something similar, ours ends sometime in July but we've already moved out as we've bought a house.

:eek:

I definately wouldn't be happy having "moved out" but letting the agent conduct viewings in my absence and BEFORE my formal check-out.

How can you tell what is going on in the property that you might yet be blamed for!

Bossworld

Werdnal wrote: »

:eek:

I definately wouldn't be happy having "moved out" but letting the agent conduct viewings in my absence and BEFORE my formal check-out.

How can you tell what is going on in the property that you might yet be blamed for!

They've got to give us 24 hours notice before a viewing (as per the contract) and it's now gone up as 'Let agreed' at last. It would appear those people that got locked in have signed up, or it was only the letting agent who got locked in :rotfl:

I've got a full inventory and the place is a bit rough around the edges anyway. With the greatest of respect, they've been around in our absence to do the new gas certificate and haven't exactly trashed the place so I'm not too concerned. I work normal working hours so was unable to attend any viewings they'd conducted so far. Only problem I ever saw was that they locked the mortice lock but never the bloody yale (just left that one on the latch). Probably explains how they locked themselves in!

For what it's worth, I've always kept any mail addressed to the landlord (unopened). Accidentally opened one this week and it's from the mortgage company stating that he can only let it for one more year (not sure if this is a standard thing or not) so think they've got bigger problems than trying to wilfully cause damage!

sharpee

3 days to go and still no information about our check out inspection