Reports2Go

Why a 24-hour Check-In report is your best defence in a post-Section 21 world

Now that Section 21 has officially been scrapped under the Renters' Rights Act, the UK rental sector has entered a completely new era. Fixed-term tenancies are gone, and every agreement is now a rolling, periodic tenancy from day one.

This changes the risk assessment for landlords and letting agents in a big way. Previously, you were assured either the fixed period or fall back on a no-fault notice option. Now, should a tenant move into your property and raise an issue regarding a repair needed before moving in, your original baseline is tested right away.

That is why a fast, thorough Check-in Report completed within 24 hours of key handover has become your single best defence.

The problem with the 5-Day Delay

We used to see reports taking a week to be typed up, formatted, and emailed out. In a rolling-tenancy world, that delay is a major liability.

If a tenant moves their furniture in on Monday, but the official report does not land in their inbox until Friday, the lines around property condition get blurred instantly:

• Scuffed skirting boards get blamed on the removal vans.
• A cracked windowpane turns into an active issue before even the first month’s rent is paid in full.
• Appliance problems that existed beforehand become emergency repairs due to increasing Decent Homes legislation.

In the absence of concrete proof on day one, you lack the benchmark necessary for any future enforcement of tenancy requirements.

Turning Turnaround Time into Evidence Protection

Speed is not merely an advantage for those who are well organised; it is an advantage that is legally protected. Taking pictures and making notes of each room, along with reading metre counts, ensures that disputes do not arise.

At Reports2Go, we built our app and portal workflow specifically to eliminate the bottleneck between walking the property and producing the final PDF. By using our built-in dictation software, and rapid transcription, clerks and independent landlords can walk through a property, dictate exact details hands-free, and produce an Ombudsman-ready document in minutes rather than days.

Protecting Your Portfolio from Day One

You can no longer rely on fixed end dates to fix property management oversights. Every periodic tenancy demands total clarity right out of the gate.

By delivering a detailed, photo-backed Check-in Report within 24 hours, you protect your property, set a transparent standard with your tenant, and safeguard your deposit position.

Want to speed up your move-in workflow? Try our free Reports2Go app today or get in touch with our team to explore our dedicated inventory clerk services.

Gary, 04 September 2026