Why is a proper inventory of your rental property so important? Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, Operations Director – Inventory Base | Property Inspect UK, explains all
● Why is a property inventory so important?
A professionally compiled report will detail exactly what the tenant is going to be responsible for when they are handed the keys to the property. By documenting walls, flooring, kitchens and bathrooms etc, listing their condition including any defects, helps to set the expectations of both parties and can prevent disputes at the end of the tenancy. Without an inventory, the landlord may not be able to prove, on the balance of probability, they have a legitimate claim against the deposit.
● What are some of the mistakes landlords make in compiling an inventory?
When discussing inventories and check outs, some landlords are still unclear as to what purpose they serve and more concerningly, what they should contain, creating the conditions for mistakes to be made.
Juggling both tasks and trades as they get the property ready for check-in, can cause landlords to skimp over the detail in favour of speed. Glossing over or ignoring issues that they are already aware of can add to the landlord’s maintenance costs if the small leak they chose to ignore suddenly becomes a major issue.
Another common issue is around pictures. The old adage of a ‘picture paints a thousands words’ is sometimes taken literally by having hundreds of pictures, but without any detail to help anchor the information, the reader’s ability to distinguish between subjective and objective evidence becomes confused.
Conversely, not enough pictures can create exactly the same issue, as without a visual reference it’s hard to put the condition of the property or an item that is in dispute into context. This can leave the tenant, agent or, more importantly, the adjudicator trying to interpret what they’re seeing which could create mistakes and prove costly.
● Who would find Inventory Base useful?
We work with a diverse range of professionals, from single dwelling through to large portfolio professional landlords, inventory providers, property and portfolio managers, estate and letting agents through to risk assessors, surveyors, maintenance and safety certificate contractors; the list really is endless. Whether you are a supplier or a key stakeholder involved in the care and provision of property, anyone can utilise the key features and tools provided by Inventory Base to conduct ad hoc, regular or schedule recurring property reports, compliance and safety certificates.
● What are the basic features of Inventory Base?
The software comes with a ton of features and tools to make the capture of inventory information efficient.
Key features include the ability to:
– Create detailed report templates or quick checklists
– Keep a diary of all key dates and property visits
– Invite your suppliers to allocate visits on demand
– Outsource to a network of local professionals on demand
– Share and track digital reports and certificates to cover your legal and compliance obligations
● What are the more advanced features of InventoryBase?
Our advanced features and solutions really make information capture simple by streamlining the
processes, using Inventory Base to do the heavy lifting when it comes to reporting.
Options include:
Self assessments – tenants can be given the option to produce inspection reports during the tenancy removing the need for recurring in-person visits.
Compliance – with our unique Workstreams option, you can book safety certificates to comply with your obligations around Gas Safety, Electrical and fire risk assessments by accessing our network of professional providers.
Advanced actions – create, track and task regular, scheduled or urgent safety or maintenance actions to in-house teams, external contractors all within your account.
Live Inspections – remotely inspect a property from anywhere on any device, anytime. With crystal clear audio and video, you can capture high definition photos as the tenant or contractor navigates the property whilst keeping the data safe, secure and private.
Advanced calendar – our feature helps organise your diary by managing past and upcoming bookings, filter inspections by their type, status, client or assigned person all within a few clicks.
● Does Inventory Base require an online connection to use?
That is the beauty of our software. Inventory Base works offline so you never have to find an
inconvenient spot to get a signal or rely on expensive data to safeguard the information.
Supported on both iPhone and Android; you can complete reports on-site without the need for an Internet connection including the ability to capture signatures onsite for keys or safety compliance when testing alarms.
● With what platforms is it compatible?
Because of our open API, the software is ready for business 24/7 with all types of services, CRM’s from Reapit through to Fixlo, MRI software, Zapier for faster, more creative connections. We’re also a key integration partner with The Depositary, providing faster and more streamlined deposit management and with our ability to create frictionless data sharing opportunities, we are constantly adding to our integration partners.
● How much does it cost? Can I get a free trial?
Packages start from as little as £25 per month and anyone looking to see what is under the hood can sign up for a free trial for 14 days, play with the software, create reports to use (no watermarks here!) and really test the metal of our services.
Our fabulous sales team guides customers throughout the onboarding process, we have an in-app and online chat function, extensive support guides as well as phone and email support by our award-winning support team made up of professionals that really understand the industry.
● Where can I find out more about Inventory Base?
You can find more about Inventory Base by visiting our website, call our team on 03333 444 506 or email us at sales@inventorybase.com.
Book a demo or sign up for a free trial today and discover how we make Property and Inventory reports simple!
