What Makes a Good Check-out?

However well a tenant looks after a property, it will not be in the same condition at the end of the tenancy as it was at the beginning. Wear and tear to carpets, flooring, fixtures and fittings and décor will, inevitably, have taken place. Even well looked after contents will deteriorate with time and use.

Landlords need to allow for fair wear and tear during a tenancy. Tenants will usually be liable for breakages, missing items, or damage to the property, which exceeds what is considered fair wear and tear, due to carelessness, misuse, negligence or deliberate damage. It is therefore important that an inventory process is carried out well. Recording any changes in condition will help identify what changes have taken place and who should be responsible for them.

Theoretically, anyone can produce an inventory, but it should be remembered that at the end of the tenancy the inventory and any check in or check out reports may need to be used to settle a dispute between the landlord and the tenant. Therefore, those key documents need to be, finely detailed and understood and relied on by a third party, without the need to go back to the person who carried it out.

There is no reason why a landlord cannot carry out their own inventory, however, they may lack the expertise to complete it properly and may not see everything that is wrong with the property, as they are too familiar with it; conversely, they may not be able to assess the damage objectively because it is their property. The beauty of KPR’s software is that it is professionally designed by letting agents, and is displayed in form of a checklist, prompting you to work your way down the list, ensuring no area is overlooked, safeguarding good practice and protecting the interests of both landlord and tenant.

What should Check-in and Check-out reports cover?

Although not required by law, nor by TDS, the provision of a Check-in and Check-out report as key evidence in a dispute is often vital in deciding the outcome of any claim. The check out report should provide the adjudicator clear and consistent comparisons to the check in report. In days of old, it was best to have the same person carrying out the check out report, as the check in, but with our software, the person carrying out the mid term and checkout report will see the previous report, along with anything that may require attention, including embedded photos, to make comparisons with, displaying all reports in a consistent format, ensuring precision and clarity.

Can proptech help?

It can! More agents are investing in property habitation software for benefits that go beyond inventory reporting, which can save time and money for everyone involved and provide confidence that properties are fully FFHH covered – a small price to pay for an invaluable return.

KPR provides habitation software to ensure peace of mind and helps towards the smooth running of a letting agent’s portfolio, and includes:

• Professionally presented information sheets bearing your company branding offers tenants the tools to ensure that their upkeep of the property is sufficient.
• Automated scheduling and reminders, such as certificate expiration dates, and testing for smoke detectors and CO monitors, ensure every detail is covered.
• Offers tenants the ability to conduct their own Midterm report, saving agents time and minimising visits. 
• Secure storage for date and time-stamped documentation and certificates.
• Simple communication between agent and tenant, all in one place.
• Our automation software with reminders ensures that you stay compliant, so you never miss a deadline, and certificate renewals will never be overlooked.
• Our software features a tenant portal with exclusive access to direct communication between tenant and the managing agent and swift repairs reporting using a unique QR code for their property.

At KPR we understand the demands of the industry and strive to address the issues agents and property owners face. We have our own in-house development team with knowledge of modem technology and methodologies, which keep KPR software current, and always focusing on the next level.

If you would like to speak with us about how we can assist you and your business. feel free to speak with our helpful team today!

0208 542 2333

hello@kpr.global