Reports2Go

Use the FREE Reports2Go App to Speed-up Inventories

Somewhat strangely, the Tenancy Deposit Scheme does not place any requirement upon the landlord or agent to prepare an inventory or check-in or check-out reports. However, without good quality check-in and check-out reports it can be very difficult to persuade an adjudicator – as well as a tenant – that a deduction from the tenant’s deposit at the end of the tenancy is fair.

An adjudicator will take into account any other evidence that the property was in clean and good condition at the commencement of the tenancy. Documentation such as perhaps a copy invoice for cleaning before the tenant moved in is good evidence, but it is very difficult to prove that a dent in the fridge door was or was not present at the time if there is no record of it. If anything, the adjudicator is likely to come down on the side of the tenant in such a case.

The Inventory, check-in and check-out reports should be as detailed as possible and accompanied by photographs if necessary. As they say a picture paints a thousand words. Equally, if you have a photograph of the fridge in good condition at check-in, that cannot be disputed easily.

While it is not necessary to take photographs of absolutely everything, there should most certainly be descriptions which are as accurate as possible. This means that taking inventory can be very time-consuming in order to ensure that it is done right, especially if doing it, as many inventory clerks still do, using a clipboard and notepad.

Today’s method of doing inventory is to use an app like the free inventory app that we provide at Reports2Go.

The app is not only very easy to use, but it also makes sure that you don’t miss things. It gives you prompts as you go through each room and makes suggestions for checking things. This is true for both inside the property and outside. So it will prompt you to check the garden fence, the garage door, and so on. When you are happy that you have covered everything in detail, all you need to do is to upload it to your portal on our server, and a few minutes later it will be ready to download.

You can also use our app in audio mode which makes the process of taking inventory even faster. In this mode you simply record your notes as you go by talking to your mobile in the same way that you would talk to Siri or Cortana. As with the text mode, the app will give you prompts as you go through each room. When you have finished the inventory, you upload it to your portal and you then have two choices: type up the report yourself or let us do it for you.

Gary, 18 September 2020