The Red Tape

The Tenancy Deposit Regulations that were formalised in 2007 have changed the face of letting property.

They established a clear framework for dealing with deposits and any deductions made from them. No longer can a landlord just take an amount from the deposit based on what he feels is fair. Now, any deductions must be itemised, justified and any damage or loss proved before any money can be taken. This is why the inventory, check-in and check-out are now so important.

As an independent third party, our reports document the exact condition of the property and it's contents at the start and the end of the tenancy. Any damage or missing items will be highlighted in the check-out and this document can then be used as the basis for a deposit claim.

However, if an inventory and check-in is not done at the start of the tenancy, or if it is inaccurate, it can be almost impossible to claim for any damage or loss.