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Checking Inventories
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devildog
Posts: 1,222 Forumite
Thought this would be a good time to post this as many will have students heading off to Uni for the first time or from moving from Halls into private rented accommodation. Feel free to add any extras 
If in Halls, there should not be a huge amount to check-
Student's room-
Mattress- remove mattress cover(if provided and check all sides of the mattress for staining)
Carpet-check for stains/burns and thread snags on the carpet. general cleanliness of carpet. Lift anything removable (that may have been strategically placed and check underneath those things too)
Bins-remove bin liner (if provided) and note condition of bin (stained/rusty etc)
Sanitary ware (en-suite or rooms with sink) check for lime scale/rust/mould stains, any cracks or chips.
Furniture/fittings. Check for any chips/cracks/stains/ring marks from cups etc. Missing handles/knobs. Cracked mirrors/tiles.
Paintwork-check clean and condition of walls, blu tac marks, scuffs, chips, holes etc. You would not have to note every small scuff but generalise on the state of a particular wall(s) Don't forget to check the ceiling too.
Check windows for cracks and make sure the window locks/latches fully function.
Communal Areas- Little more difficult especially when it comes to the large student kitchens-
Paintwork in general.
Cookers/grills/ovens-Are they clean? is there any obvious damage/parts missing? Personally I would take a photo of cookers to show extent of cleanliness.
Fridges/freezers-Are they clean, are any of the internal plastic parts(shelves, drawers, compartments broken chipped)
Is the floor covering clean and unstained and free from tears/burns etc?
Worktops-Clean and un damaged?
Cupboards-clean and free from damage?
Tables and chairs- Unmarked and free from defects?
Casual chairs-lift and turn each individual cushion-check for stains, fraying/tears of each individual cushion.
If an item is on the inventory but not in your room, annotate the inventory accordingly.
Whatever you notice should be already noted on the inventory, if it isn't then write it on!!!
If a student taking over a house with others, it is usually down to the first student in to check!! Check for the same sort of things as above only do it for every room and not just your own!
In addition-Read/check meters for both gas and electricity!
if your property has front/rear gardens check the state of the garden (grass cut short/weed free etc). Although this will not necessarily be noted on the inventory it is quite often part of the agreement that the occupants will keep these in good order, so if it is not in good order when you occupy the property raise it with the landlord/letting agency. Is there any of the previous occupiers rubbish left either in the house or garden-ask for it to be removed.
Are items like vacuum cleaners damage free and working?
Are all refuse bins present and correct?
In short, make sure everything on the inventory is present,
If it can be opened, open it and check inside. If it can be uncovered/moved-uncover and move it and check! Don't assume

If in Halls, there should not be a huge amount to check-
Student's room-
Mattress- remove mattress cover(if provided and check all sides of the mattress for staining)
Carpet-check for stains/burns and thread snags on the carpet. general cleanliness of carpet. Lift anything removable (that may have been strategically placed and check underneath those things too)
Bins-remove bin liner (if provided) and note condition of bin (stained/rusty etc)
Sanitary ware (en-suite or rooms with sink) check for lime scale/rust/mould stains, any cracks or chips.
Furniture/fittings. Check for any chips/cracks/stains/ring marks from cups etc. Missing handles/knobs. Cracked mirrors/tiles.
Paintwork-check clean and condition of walls, blu tac marks, scuffs, chips, holes etc. You would not have to note every small scuff but generalise on the state of a particular wall(s) Don't forget to check the ceiling too.
Check windows for cracks and make sure the window locks/latches fully function.
Communal Areas- Little more difficult especially when it comes to the large student kitchens-
Paintwork in general.
Cookers/grills/ovens-Are they clean? is there any obvious damage/parts missing? Personally I would take a photo of cookers to show extent of cleanliness.
Fridges/freezers-Are they clean, are any of the internal plastic parts(shelves, drawers, compartments broken chipped)
Is the floor covering clean and unstained and free from tears/burns etc?
Worktops-Clean and un damaged?
Cupboards-clean and free from damage?
Tables and chairs- Unmarked and free from defects?
Casual chairs-lift and turn each individual cushion-check for stains, fraying/tears of each individual cushion.
If an item is on the inventory but not in your room, annotate the inventory accordingly.
Whatever you notice should be already noted on the inventory, if it isn't then write it on!!!
If a student taking over a house with others, it is usually down to the first student in to check!! Check for the same sort of things as above only do it for every room and not just your own!
In addition-Read/check meters for both gas and electricity!
if your property has front/rear gardens check the state of the garden (grass cut short/weed free etc). Although this will not necessarily be noted on the inventory it is quite often part of the agreement that the occupants will keep these in good order, so if it is not in good order when you occupy the property raise it with the landlord/letting agency. Is there any of the previous occupiers rubbish left either in the house or garden-ask for it to be removed.
Are items like vacuum cleaners damage free and working?
Are all refuse bins present and correct?
In short, make sure everything on the inventory is present,
If it can be opened, open it and check inside. If it can be uncovered/moved-uncover and move it and check! Don't assume

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