Reports2Go

Top Mistakes to Avoid When Creating a Schedule of Condition

A Schedule-of-Condition (SoC) is a vital document in every tenancy agreement. It serves as a record of the property's condition at the start of the tenancy, which safeguards both the landlord and tenant in the long run.

However, a poorly prepared SoC might lead to future conflict.

Here are the top mistakes to avoid when creating your free Schedule of Condition with Reports2Go:

• Lack of Detail: Do not accept a general description. A detailed SoC should note the state of each aspect of the property - walls, floors, fixtures, fittings, and even the state of gardens and external areas. Use a Blank Schedule of Condition template (available from online services such as Reports2Go) as a starting point but amend it to meet your needs with respect to details about the property.
  
  
• Ignore Known Damage: New scratches on a wall are easy to identify, but there may be existing wear and tear. Take photos of existing cracks, chips, stains, or malfunctioning equipment. This creates a baseline of what is normal wear and tear versus new damage your tenant might have caused at the end of a lease.
  
  
• Neglecting Photography: Photos speak a thousand words, especially in Condition Schedules. Accompany your explicit descriptions with clear, high-resolution photos of all photographed issues. Accompany a close-up shot of damage with a wider shot that shows context. Time-date photographed shots can prove exceptionally useful when the tenancy exceeds a few years.
  
  
• Forgetting the Not-So-Visible: Don't overlook physical aspects. Your SoC should also detail the functionality of electrical systems, plumbing, heating and ventilation. Document all flickering lights, leaky taps, or noisy radiators. Tenants are usually exempt from normal wear and tear on these systems, but documented pre-existing conditions can prevent blame later.
  
  
• Rushing the Process: It takes time to make a complete SoC. Don't be rushed with the inspection. Thoroughly check every room and area. Use a checklist to ensure that you haven't missed anything.
  
  
• Lack of Signatures: Once you have a detailed and documented SoC with photographs, get it signed. The document, along with its date, should be signed by the landlord and tenant. It is now a very important document for future reference.

Panos, 20 December 2024