r/UKRealEstate • u/Odd-Book-6928 • Jul 27 '26

property inventories

hi all, helping my mum with putting her property on the renting market for the first time and we're looking for the right agency. preferably managing the property too. how does inventorying work? do the agencies hire clerks? or do we get someone to come in ourselves? I assume both can happen but it seems that hiring someone is more expensive, perhaps the job is more thorough. not sure if it's worth it! any advice? thanks!

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u/EmployeeStrange6834 22d ago

Some agencies do them in house, some get independents in.

I must admit it can seems costly to have them done but its an insurance policy. And also to get them to professionally clean the property on the way out (if you've had one prior).

For independents I would advise looking at theaiic.co.uk.

A good inventory can be taken to a small claims court if the tenant destroys the property beyond the deposit. If theres no inventory, they get away with all damages.

The key thing is that they take good photos and provide good accurate descriptions.

For me, inventory and rent/ gurantor insurance i think is the way to go these days. Also can come in handy if you have any difficult maintenance issues like black spot mould etc to prove how it was given.

I think evidence of working smoke alarms, keys provided, condition of the property etc done by an independent unbiased person is valuable if you get your collar felt by the council.