Property letting query - check-in/check-out?
Discussion
With MrsC and I about to move out of our current (letted) flat, an interesting query has arisen that our management agent seems incapable of dealing with. As part of the "Conditions to be kept by the tenant" we are liable to pay £200-something for a check-out/inventory, which is all fairly standard and something I'd usually be more than happy to do.
However, it's just dawned on us that we never received a check-in/inventory at the start of our tenancy, something which was listed under the "Conditions to be kept by the landlord". I know exactly the reason (miscommunication between the landlord and agent), but MrsC and I didn't have the time/energy to pursue.
While I obviously intend to put the flat back to A1 condition (professional cleaners etc.), I'm at a quandary as to how I approach the check-out. Given that there's no check-in record to compare it against, it's a largely academic process. And, on the basis that the landlord has already failed to keep their end of this bargain, I feel like my £200-and-something quid could be better spent elsewhere.
Has anyone been through this, on either end of the relationship? Is there any guidance anywhere?
However, it's just dawned on us that we never received a check-in/inventory at the start of our tenancy, something which was listed under the "Conditions to be kept by the landlord". I know exactly the reason (miscommunication between the landlord and agent), but MrsC and I didn't have the time/energy to pursue.
While I obviously intend to put the flat back to A1 condition (professional cleaners etc.), I'm at a quandary as to how I approach the check-out. Given that there's no check-in record to compare it against, it's a largely academic process. And, on the basis that the landlord has already failed to keep their end of this bargain, I feel like my £200-and-something quid could be better spent elsewhere.
Has anyone been through this, on either end of the relationship? Is there any guidance anywhere?
If there is no check in then a check out is pointless. I would refuse it on those grounds but point out that the property is well maintained, you've looked after it. Isn't that a condition of the TDS as well that there is a checkin/out (maybe I'm wrong) but they can hardly take from your deposit without supporting evidence of condition it was in beforehand.
Kiwi79 said:
If there is no check in then a check out is pointless. I would refuse it on those grounds but point out that the property is well maintained, you've looked after it. Isn't that a condition of the TDS as well that there is a checkin/out (maybe I'm wrong) but they can hardly take from your deposit without supporting evidence of condition it was in beforehand.
Cheers for the reply - it appears we've come to the same conclusion, and one of common sense. After researching it appears that the checkin/out process isn't mandatory for TDS - merely 'advised'.Unless its a 5 bed or more I pay a max of £80 for an inventory/condition report so I suspect the managing agent will want his profit..........call a couple of local inventory services and ask for a rough quote, pretend you are a landlord. Also the inventory you have paid for on exit will be used as the check in inventory for the next tenant, another reason the agent will want it done
If there is no check in report then any deductions are unlikely to be supported by TDS. Essentially the agent has dropped the ball. Be very nice about it and email the agent:
"more than happy to pay for the outgoing inventory/condition report on receipt of a copy of the my moving in report; which incidentally I should have had the opportunity to read and sign immediately on occupation."
Please forward it to me at your earliest convenience
Love and Kisses
Your soon to be £200 better off ex tenant
If there is no check in report then any deductions are unlikely to be supported by TDS. Essentially the agent has dropped the ball. Be very nice about it and email the agent:
"more than happy to pay for the outgoing inventory/condition report on receipt of a copy of the my moving in report; which incidentally I should have had the opportunity to read and sign immediately on occupation."
Please forward it to me at your earliest convenience
Love and Kisses
Your soon to be £200 better off ex tenant
KevinCamaroSS said:
Just an aside, in the 8 or 9 properties my wife and I have rented, we have never paid for the checkout, this has always been down to the landlord.
Usual practice is Tenant pays for Checkin, LL for checkout.OP. Point out no checkin was done so no point in check out.
Sir Bagalot said:
KevinCamaroSS said:
Just an aside, in the 8 or 9 properties my wife and I have rented, we have never paid for the checkout, this has always been down to the landlord.
Usual practice is Tenant pays for Checkin, LL for checkout.OP. Point out no checkin was done so no point in check out.
All has been resolved - LL has agreed to cover the cost of the checkout, and will not be making any claims/deduction from the deposit (not that there would be any need). Both LL and agent are clear on the process, so hopefully everyone sticks to their word.
Good result. Got to say though, that this:
"we are liable to pay £200-something for a check-out/inventory, which is all fairly standard and something I'd usually be more than happy to do."
just shows how dysfunctional the private rentals sector is. £200 for how many hours work, of what level of difficulty?
Compare up here in Scotland where no fees can be charged to tenants beyond rent - sure, costs can get passed on through rent, but it seems to mean there's a lot less nonsense with third-party firms. Our references were checked by the agent, not outsourced to a referencing firm. On moving in we were given keys and a paper inventory at the agent's office, told to check it ourselves and raise any queries, then checkout was carried out by the agent. No need for an "inventory services" company (nice work, if you've got a pal who's a lettings agent). No fees on extending the lease either.
I can see paying these fees is necessary if it's standard practice and basically there's no way to rent a flat otherwise. But being happy about it?
"we are liable to pay £200-something for a check-out/inventory, which is all fairly standard and something I'd usually be more than happy to do."
just shows how dysfunctional the private rentals sector is. £200 for how many hours work, of what level of difficulty?
Compare up here in Scotland where no fees can be charged to tenants beyond rent - sure, costs can get passed on through rent, but it seems to mean there's a lot less nonsense with third-party firms. Our references were checked by the agent, not outsourced to a referencing firm. On moving in we were given keys and a paper inventory at the agent's office, told to check it ourselves and raise any queries, then checkout was carried out by the agent. No need for an "inventory services" company (nice work, if you've got a pal who's a lettings agent). No fees on extending the lease either.
I can see paying these fees is necessary if it's standard practice and basically there's no way to rent a flat otherwise. But being happy about it?
rgf100 said:
I can see paying these fees is necessary if it's standard practice and basically there's no way to rent a flat otherwise. But being happy about it?
It's something I've done in most flats I've lived at in London, to be honest. As a proportion of the rent it's minuscule, and (being done independently) it protects my arse in the event of any claims by the landlord.Such is life.
ETA: Cheers Kev!
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff