The "Inventory Check-in" Masterlist

Why You Need This

Most tenants lose deposit disputes because they can't prove that existing damage was already there. Do not trust the landlord's inventory. It often misses things, and was taken by the estate agent who has an incentive to support the landlord over the tenant. The Inventory is often sparse, poorly taken, and rushed.

Therefore, take your own photos before you move your stuff in. If the property is furnished, then ensure you move sofas and units out from the walls to capture the full picture of all surfaces. This can feel like a hassle, but it's a few hours now to potentially save a deposit theft attempt.

You may wish to just take a video of the entire property - rather than worry about framing up hundreds of photos.

The Room-by-Room Checklist

🍳 Kitchen

  • Oven & Hob: Open the oven. Is it greasy? Photograph the racks and the glass door.
  • Fridge/Freezer: Is it defrosted? Any mould in the seals? Cracked drawers?
  • Cupboards: Open every door. Check for loose hinges or peeling laminate.
  • Sink: Check for limescale around the tap.

🛁 Bathroom

  • Grout & Sealant: Photograph any black mould or orange stains on the silicone.
  • Toilet: Check the seat is tight. Flush it to check for leaks. What about the ceramic condition inside the bowl?
  • Shower Screen: Any cracks or limescale?

🛋️ General (Every Room)

  • Floors: Photograph any stains on carpets or scratches on wood. Move quickly before you cover them with rugs/furniture.
  • Walls: Look for "blu-tack" oily marks or scuffs. Photograph them close up.
  • Windows: Do they open, stay open, and close? Any cracks in the glass?
  • Mattress: Lift the sheet. Photograph both sides for stains.
  • Meter Readings: Crucial. Photograph the gas, electric, and water meters immediately.
  • Mould: Ensure you capture any surfaces with mould or wet patches that may become mould. Capturing the development of these issues over time is very useful.

External condition of the property

  • Front Door and external condition: Take photos of the outside of the property, the front door, the windows, the paving or tiling, and anything else that you come into contact with as a user of the property.

What to Do With the Photos

  1. Email them to yourself (so they have a date stamp).
  2. Upload them to a cloud storage solution, which will also date stamp when you upload the images.
  3. Email them to the landlord/agent within 7 days saying: "Here are my additional inventory notes."

Take Action

When the end of your tenancy arrives, you'll be well positioned to challenge an unfair claim on your deposit - and even the act of thorough documentation may dissuade some landlords from trying this! Of course, when your tenancy concludes, make sure to leave a review on Flatm8 (coming soon), to keep the community informed about what tenants at that property should expect from their landlord or estate agency! Further, get involved with your local housing union, who can support you with inventory or deposit disputes. Join the Waitlist