Should an inventory show appliances to be in working order?

An inventory should state working and if you are using a video, as well as still photos, you can do clips of loos being flushed.
Whoever does your checkin should demonstrate toilets, taps et. work and shut off.
Saniflo’s even bug up with ordinary toilet paper

I’ve never known an invetrory clerk to test anything, although have heard of one firm that tests absolutely everything during an outgoing – tenants have to wait for the washing machine to end!

I think it may add to time/costs if the clerks had to test everything; it may prove difficult if faulrs are intermittent. I suspect that insurance is a red herring.

Our tenants are given 7 days to amend/return inventories so if something’s not working when they start to use items they need to tell us.

When I queried why nothing was ever tested I was told that they “are not experts”. What an effing stupid comment. Pointing out that flicking a light switch doesn’t require a scence degree fell on deaf ears.
Within a few days of moving in, my current tenant advised that the microwave wasn’t working. Since the previous tenants had neglected the place and left hundreds of pounds of damage, it was my guess that they broke the oven but since the inventory person only checked to make sure that it was still there, not whether it was actually working, I was left with footing a £500 bill to replace it.
Quite frankly, it pi$$es me off. But Hey, I’m quitting the business ‘cos I’ve had enough. Anyone want to buy a managed 3-bed house in Worthing, West Sussex with a sitting tenant who pays on the dot every month? Companies offering pennies on the pound need not apply, thanks.

So….the reason you asking presumably is to ascertain if the ‘clog’ is down to current tenant or previous tenant!
I lived in a property with a saniflow loo (ensuite) and quite honestly it was seriously problematic (won’t go into detail).
To answer your question re. Inventory checks I think this would depend on your instruction but even when tested no guarantee that they will function indefinitely.

Reply to the comment left by SimonP at 23/03/2023 – 13:16
I’ve also had issues with a Saniflo, apparently because one isn’t supposed to use bleach type cleaners to clean the toilet..
Not sure exactly what you mean by ‘managed’ property in Worthing, I’m just down the road so would be interested.

Reply to the comment left by SimonP at 23/03/2023 – 13:16
£500 for a microwave???

Reply to the comment left by RJ at 23/03/2023 – 14:32
“Managed” = completely looked after by local Letting Agents.

Reply to the comment left by Crossed_Swords at 23/03/2023 – 14:49
It’s a built-in appliance and apparently not a standard size. I spent a lot of money on my kitchen so these microwaves do tend to cost a wee bit more than what one would find in Tesco .

I had an inventory clerk miss that the front door had been clearly (to me anyway) kicked or forced open open the frame and locks being poorly repaired in an effort to disguise the damage-how the clerk missed it I don’t know-but in this case the he was a freelancer paid-by-the unit, read what you will into that.. I sucked it up in the end as wasn’t worth my time and efforts complaining and forcing the issue..

Though in your case the tenant would be fully liable, and I would be putting a special clause in the notes section of the Ten Ag, as macerators are notorious for blocking with foreign objects..

You would know on the first flush if there was an issue with the unit, so safe to say it was working from for the first week.

Reply to the comment left by Crossed_Swords at 23/03/2023 – 14:49
This is one reason why I would never go for a managed service. Getting a lettings agent to hire a contractor to replace a microwave at £500 is a joke