Inventory

An inventory, sometimes called a “schedule of condition”, is a written and photographic record of the state of a rented property and its contents at the start and often the end of a tenancy. It normally lists rooms, fixtures, fittings and any supplied furniture or appliances, with notes on condition and supporting photos or video.

A good inventory is agreed and signed by both landlord (or agent) and tenant shortly after move-in, sometimes following a joint check-in inspection. Tenants should read it carefully, add comments where they disagree, and keep a copy. At the end of the tenancy, a check-out report is compared with the original inventory to identify any changes. This evidence is central to deciding what is fair wear and tear and what counts as tenant-caused damage or missing items.

While there is no single statute forcing landlords to use inventories, they are effectively essential in the UK system of tenancy deposit protection and alternative dispute resolution.

A clear, dated inventory helps protect both sides. It makes it harder for landlords to claim unjustified deductions, and easier for them to prove genuine loss if serious damage has occurred.