How long does it take to do an inventory?

JennyP

Just wondering if anyone knew how long approximately it would take to do an inventory of a two bedroom flat, mostly unfurnished (two fitted wardrobes only plus white goods.
Thanks.

theartfullodger

Well 5 minutes if you don;'t care about the quality or if it will stand up in court or through adjudication. Starting from scratch, with detailed descriptions & photos of everything (inside, out, any gardens, walls ceilings etc etc..) I'd allow at least 1/2 a day. If modifying the "last" inventory an hour or so plus photo time.

Then there is time to get tenant to sign and ideally initial each page.

Are you landlord, tenant, agent, inventory clerk, student-doing-research... ??

JennyP

I'm a landlord. New tenants moved in on Saturday. I thought the inventory would take about 1 hour, maybe 2. It took 5. It was annoying for the tenants as they hadn't expected it to take that long either.
The reason for the question was that the man doing it admitted he hadn't done many before and seemed to lack confidence about the whole thing.
Seems from your reply that it was a reasonable amount of time!

LEJC

I am a LL... I have a 2 bed house which took 2hours to document and take photos of last time it was done


I also have a 2 bed flat which is smaller in size and took just over an hour to complete...
each inventorty lists room by room its contents including fixtures and fittings,documents condition and photos as appropriate.


Cost wise to employ someone to do this its in the region of £60
Its also something that time permiting is reasonably easy to do yourself to have ready for the tenant check in


I usually find the easiest way to do is have someone prepare the inventory seperately and walk through it with the tenant at check in allowing them time afterwards to make any changes .the document is then double signed and agreed.

theartfullodger

Did you not have it prepared in advance all printed out & thumbnails of photos & CD with photos & a form for tenant to sign saying they'd received it & had 7 days to notify you of any discrepancies?? That should only take 3 minutes:

My answer referred to preparing the inventory prior to tenants turning up... I wouldn;t want to do it in front of & with tenant..

"The man doing it"?? Do you mean an inventory clerk?? Fire them, next time DIY or get someone who knows what they are doing.

No doubt you didn;t select them because they were the cheapest.

JennyP

LEJC wrote: »

I am a LL... I have a 2 bed house which took 2hours to document and take photos of last time it was done


I also have a 2 bed flat which is smaller in size and took just over an hour to complete...
each inventorty lists room by room its contents including fixtures and fittings,documents condition and photos as appropriate.


Cost wise to emply someone to do this its in the region of £60
Its also something that time permiting is reasonably easy to do yourself to have ready for the tenant check in


I usually find the easiest way to do is have someone prepare the inventory seperately and walk through it with the tenant at check in allowing them time aftwerwards to make any changes .the document is then double signed and agreed.

I paid a lot more than £60 - over double, I think.
What company do you use?

LEJC

JennyP wrote: »

I paid a lot more than £60 - over double, I think.
What company do you use?

That was the charge from the letting agency I use....They are local and independant.


In the past I have used a larger firm who did charge a lot more but I was not very happy with the inconsistent inventory they produced.