Inventory (Schedule of Condition)
A detailed, dated record of a property's contents and condition at the start of a tenancy, ideally with photographs. The baseline document for every deposit deduction.
An inventory records what is in the property and what condition everything is in at check-in: walls, floors, fixtures, appliances, furniture, keys, and meter readings. Paired with a schedule of condition and timestamped photographs, it is the baseline that every end-of-tenancy comparison is made against.
Why it matters more than the deposit itself
In a deposit dispute, adjudicators compare check-out condition against check-in condition, allowing fair wear and tear. Without a signed check-in inventory there is no baseline, and claims for damage usually fail regardless of how bad the property looks. The strongest inventories share three habits:
- Specific descriptions. "Carpet: beige, good condition, small stain 10cm left of door" beats "carpet: good".
- Photographs embedded or referenced, with dates.
- Tenant signature at check-in, with a copy given to the tenant.
Keeping it alive
Mid-tenancy inspection records extend the inventory's story, showing when deterioration appeared. At check-out, walk the same route with the same document. Professional inventory clerks are worth considering for larger or furnished properties; for a standard single let, a thorough landlord with a camera and a template does the job.