Disputing an inventory at check-in

Clearlier

We recently moved into a house. They provided us with an inventory the day after we moved in. We had performed our own inventory (including some photos) from the moment we walked into the house for the first time so did a comparison and updated it where we felt appropriate. The LA said that they disagreed with some of our observations and asked to come and discuss it with us. This they did and I pointed out what we had noted.

A couple of days later (and a few days afterwards a letter in the phost) we received an email saying that as per the inventory and their photos the carpets are as new and the decoration has minimal wear and tear but also noting that I had said that cleaning would get rid of other marks I had noticed on the carpet. I replied to the email to clarify that I'm not an expert on carpet cleaning and couldn't make any guarantees but left it at that.

The sending of a letter obviously makes it a bit more formal though and I'm wondering if I need to reply. It seems to me that they are trying to repudiate the comments that we made in the inventory. My question is does this letter have any impact on the inventory, i.e. would it be taken into account if there were a dispute at the end of the tenancy? If so, then I'll need to reply, if not then I'd prefer to leave it as I don't particularly want to develop a rancorous relationship with the LA. I believe that they are just trying to cover their !!! in case I turned out to the kind of tenant that destroys the house and says that it was that way in the end.

As an aside I've noticed a few more things - old damp stains - and blu tac since submitting the inventory. I mentioned this to the LA but haven't formally noted these anywhere.

Last aside is that the description of the condition of the garden in the inventory was ludicrously inaccurate. In fact the LA contacted us before we had submitted our copy of the inventory to say that they would arrange for a gardener to do the garden which they have since done.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Fire_Fox

Have you signed and returned the inventory with amendments by post? Why wasn't the inventory amended (again) and signed during the appointment with the agent? If you only noticed additional problems after signing and returning the inventory you have left yourself at risk unfortunately. If there are marks on the carpet they are clearly not as new. E-mail is not a appropriate method of responding to a formal letter. The letting agents have taken this to letter, follow their lead.

Clearlier

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Have you signed and returned the inventory with amendments by post? Why wasn't the inventory amended (again) and signed during the appointment with the agent? If you only noticed additional problems after signing and returning the inventory you have left yourself at risk unfortunately. If there are marks on the carpet they are clearly not as new. E-mail is not a appropriate method of responding to a formal letter. The letting agents have taken this to letter, follow their lead.

Thanks for responding Fire Fox. We signed and returned the inventory (delivered by hand). I don't know why the LA didn't attempt to amend the inventory again and ask us to sign it. If they had I really wouldn't have started this thread! I'm aware that spotting things after signing the inventory means that if a dispute comes down to the inventory we haven't got any backup. I responded by email in response to their email. Now (a couple of days later) that they have put it in writing I'm taking it a little more seriously.

To restate the question slightly differently:

Given that the LA has sent a letter about the inventory without amending the original inventory will this letter have any force should we end up in a dispute?

P.S. I've never had a dispute in the two previous rentals I've had but I know from this board that you can come across unscrupulous LA's and LL's where you least expect them and want to make sure that I've covered my bases as best I can whilst also retaining the best possible relationship with them.

honey1

A dual signed inventory is the most influential evidence in a dispute. However arbitrators may also consider letters written at the time and take them into account, so put a letter in the post repeating everything you've discussed/emailed and listing alll discrepencies.

As a further precaution consider dated photos.

If the garden has now been tidied up by the LL as promised, then that is the condition it should be in when you leave, rather than the 'pre-tidy' mess on day one.