Independent check out – not happy with the service?
Hi, I had an independent check out and paid in advance £120 + VAT over six weeks ago through my agent.
Firstly the report was not completed in the time advised and when I finally received the report, images were missing and details I had expected to be recorded were omitted eg, agent advised the clerk the tenant had damaged the vertical blinds and an internal door.
Nothing recorded or images. I have contacted the clerk direct and still waiting a response.
I am hopeful that the deductions will be agreed between the tenant and myself but feel I need the report to be accurate in case we go to the deposit dispute scheme.
The fee is not a small amount and I do not feel it is reasonable to pay this fee in advance, in case, like my situation, you are not satisfied with the service. I will be feeding this back to the agent.
Has anyone not been satisfied with their checkout report and how was this resolved please?
Many thanks,
Alison
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Member Since January 2020 - Comments: 559
10:46 AM, 7th May 2025, About 11 months ago
What does your agent say about the situation? Do they agree with you? If you are not happy then I would expect them to make the running on your behalf to either give an explanation, or to get things corrected.
Hopefully you have not released the deposit yet.
Member Since April 2024 - Comments: 284
10:55 AM, 7th May 2025, About 11 months ago
Thank you. Waiting to hear back from the agent.
Deposit not released, thankfully.
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 1190
12:00 PM, 7th May 2025, About 11 months ago
It’s always a red flag to me now when a service provider insists on payment before they’ve actually delivered the service. Had this with an electrician a few years back, never again. Provide the service then invoice me afterwards, as it should be. Otherwise what incentive have they to carry out a decent job when they’ve already been paid.
Member Since April 2024 - Comments: 284
1:42 PM, 7th May 2025, About 11 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 07/05/2025 – 12:00
Exactly.
The check out fee was in my estate agent contract but they deducted this automatic from my rent statement in March, with no notification.
Member Since May 2021 - Comments: 389
7:49 PM, 7th May 2025, About 11 months ago
Why didn’t the agent carry out the check-out ?
Member Since April 2024 - Comments: 284
6:27 AM, 8th May 2025, About 11 months ago
Reply to the comment left by PH at 07/05/2025 – 19:49
Hi PH. I don’t think they usually do? They arrange an independent clerk to carry this out. The checkout is in the fully managed contract. This whole BTL has been a shambles from start to finish. The combination of an horrendous tenant and unorganised agent. The last thing I need now is for them to make an error with the deductions/deposit return. I am waiting for the clerk to respond. He may have the images I expected to be on the report? The tenant vacated Monday 28th May, checkout was Thursday 1st May. I wasn’t happy with the delay! no report until Saturday lunch to the agent, I chased this all day knowing it was a bank holiday, we finally received a copy Tuesday morning from the agent. We have a damaged door, this has been left as is in case the clerk needs to return?
I have held back my email requesting the deductions from the deposit, but wondering whether to proceed with this or wait until I am happy with the check out report? Thank you.
Member Since April 2024 - Comments: 284
6:40 AM, 8th May 2025, About 11 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Alison Clark at 08/05/2025 – 06:27
Other items have not been recorded on the check out report. Glass scattered all over the garage floor, damaged vertical blinds, hole in a wall filled by tenant but not finished, etc, all not recorded on the check out.
Member Since April 2024 - Comments: 284
6:46 AM, 8th May 2025, About 11 months ago
Not to mention. The tenant kindly posted the keys through the branch letter box Sunday evening (not as agreed, avoiding signing a deed of surrender) and left all the property windows open at the back (obviously his attempt to remove pet odour.)
Member Since April 2024 - Comments: 284
8:20 AM, 8th May 2025, About 11 months ago
Reply to the comment left by PH at 08/05/2025 – 08:02
Thank you for your advice in the past. You too. Best wishes. Alison 😊
Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1134
10:18 AM, 8th May 2025, About 11 months ago
We’re they a member of the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks? If so you could make a complaint to them.