Call for the inventory process to be independent and transparent

Call for the inventory process to be independent and transparent

11:10 AM, 5th April 2023, About A year ago 2

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The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC) is calling on the government to include measures in the proposed Renters Reform Bill to guarantee independence and more transparency in the inventory process.

Daniel Evans, the chair of the AIIC, says there is ‘a significant number of property companies large and small that own their own inventory firms’.

He said: “In those circumstances, it’s very difficult for the process to be seen to be independent.

“Commercially, lettings agents are there to look after the interests of the landlords, especially in a market suffering massive stock shortages.

“How can tenants then have faith in a system that might be seen to be biased?”

Calling for the issue to be part of the Renters Reform Bill

He is now calling for the issue to be part of the Renters Reform Bill so that inventories are carried out by qualified, independent inventory clerks.

Mr Evans said: “Inventory companies have the capability of being the only truly independent agencies operating in the lettings process.

“In the event of a dispute, the inventory will act as valuable evidence to offer to the deposit protection scheme provider and enables a fair decision to be made in the adjudication process.

“But if this process is going to have credibility for the tenant as well as the landlord, that inventory must be curated by an independent agency.”

‘It’s not difficult to do a bad inventory’

He continued: “It’s not difficult to do a bad inventory at the beginning of a tenancy and a good one at the end.

“The only people that suffer are the tenants and the credibility of the tenancy process.”

He says there is a growing number of inventory firms in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) with ownership links to large and small property companies.

Mr Evans said: “I think this all began during the financial crash of 2008 when the entire market crashed and firms were looking to increase revenue by any means at their disposal, and when the importance of inventories was being fundamentally established.

“Since then, and with the advancement of technology and digital developments, this has become a growing trend and the process has become less transparent as a result.”


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Comments

David

12:22 PM, 5th April 2023, About A year ago

Wrong in so many ways.I don't believe all letting agencies who use their own inventory companies are biased towards the landlord, in fact some seem biased towards the tenant. Is this just a case of wanting more membership fees or removing competition. Would just be nice though to find an inventory company who can actually do an inventory without endless mistakes. that the landlord has to spend hours correcting. Why do they also insist on noting every tiny scratch when they should know at the end of the tenancy its classed as "fair wear and tear".I want them to note the toilet , bath and sink are not blocked at the beginning and end of tenancies.A necessary evil to help protect against rogue tenant and claim the deposit but apart from that another expensive rip off.

Smiffy

19:42 PM, 5th April 2023, About A year ago

The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks, whatever next!

Do they have monthly meetings to compare clipboards?

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