Efficient...Reliable...ESSENTIAL.

What is a Check Out?

This is an inspection and report whereby the property’s state and contents (if any) are assessed by the original inventory clerk (or someone representing them) against a signed copy of the inventory and check in notes (if not already updated onto the inventory). They should represent at the least that listed and agreed to at the original Inventory and check in. If there are changes to the property or its contents then those changes are noted and used for the check out report. It is usually conducted at the time the tenant leaves the property or soon after and can be completed with or without the tenant being present.Things we look for include;

  • Damages
  • Cleanliness
  • Missing Items
  • Additional Items (which could be costly for the Landlord to dispose of)

We are best placed to advise on Fair Wear and Tear on your property and it’s contents. This is calculated by the condition noted in the Inventory at the start of the tenancy, the age of and the soiling or damage to the property or contents in question. The law does not allow for “betterment” which means that an old item does not have to be replaced with anew one. Therefore a tenant would only be expected to pay a proportion of the cost on a like for like replacement.Without a check out report an Inventory could prove to be a pointless document as there will be no way of evaluating any changes in a properties condition from the original Inventory and check in. A check out report without an Inventory would prove pointless for the same reason. In cases such as this it may be necessary to carry out a Dilapidation Report.

FACT.

Check out reports form the basis of the majority of landlord claims. A claim is likely to be viewed more favourably if it has been compiled by an independent inventory clerk, who remains unbiased - particularly when going into arbitration under the new Tenant Deposit Scheme, or in a court of law.