End of tenancy check in Exeter
Professional end of tenancy check services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£85-£160
Typical Duration
1.5-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Complete end of tenancy check with detailed photos and report. Every room inspected, damage documented, condition compared to check-in inventory - giving you solid evidence for any deposit decisions.
When Tenants Move Out, The Questions Start
Is that carpet stain normal wear or actual damage? Who put that hole in the bedroom wall? Was the kitchen worktop chipped when they moved in, or is that new?
Without proper documentation, you're guessing. And deposit disputes without evidence? You'll lose every time at the TDS.
💡 Pro tip: Landlords with professional check-out reports win 80%+ of deposit disputes. Those without lose most claims, even for legitimate damage.
Why End of Tenancy Checks Matter
The deposit scheme arbitrators need evidence, not opinions. A proper check gives you that.
| ✅ Professional Check | ❌ DIY Quick Look |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive photos of every issue | "I'm sure there was damage..." |
| Written report with specific details | Your word against tenant's |
| Fair assessment of wear vs damage | Over-claim and lose at arbitration |
| Same-day report ready for disputes | Scrambling for evidence weeks later |
What You Get
🔧 The Inspection Process
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Review original inventory if available |
| Walk-through | Every room checked systematically |
| Photography | All damage, wear, and general condition |
| Assessment | Fair evaluation of tenant responsibility |
| Report | Written summary with photos emailed same day |
📦 You're Left With
- Complete photo record of property condition
- Room-by-room written report
- Clear evidence for deposit decisions
- Documentation ready for TDS disputes
Pricing Guide
| Property Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed flat | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
| 2-bed house | 2-2.5 hrs | £110-£135 |
| 3-bed house | 2.5-3 hrs | £135-£160 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Larger properties or unfurnished (less to check) may vary.
What I Check & Document
📸 Every Room
- Walls (marks, holes, damage)
- Floors (stains, damage, wear)
- Windows (cracks, operation, cleanliness)
- Doors (damage, operation)
- Skirting & architraves (chips, marks)
- Light fittings & switches
- Radiators & thermostats
🔧 Kitchen Specific
- Appliances (operation, cleanliness)
- Cupboards (damage, cleanliness)
- Worktops (chips, burns, stains)
- Sink & taps (operation, condition)
- Walls & floor (grease, damage)
🚿 Bathrooms Specific
- Suite (chips, cracks, stains)
- Sealant (mould, gaps)
- Shower/bath (operation, condition)
- Tiles (cracks, missing)
- Extractor (operation)
🏡 Outside
- Garden condition
- Fences & gates
- Paths & driveways
- Bins provided
What Makes a Fair Assessment
I've done hundreds of these. I know the difference between:
- Normal wear and tear (acceptable) - light scuff marks, minor carpet wear in high-traffic areas, slight discolouration of sealant
- Tenant damage (chargeable) - holes in walls, burns on worktops, broken fixtures, excessive filth beyond cleaning
The report clearly states which is which. TDS arbitrators respect fair assessments - they reject over-claiming landlords.
Why Choose Us for End of tenancy check in Exeter?
Comprehensive room-by-room inspection with photos
Detailed report highlighting damage vs wear and tear
Fair assessment protecting both you and your tenant
Quick turnaround - report sent same day
What to Expect
Step 1: Property Walk-Through
I arrive and systematically work through every room. Original inventory (if you have one) is referenced to see what's changed. Everything gets photographed - damage and general condition.
Step 2: Specific Checks
Appliances tested (do they work?), taps run, windows opened, doors checked. Not just visual - functional condition matters too. Notes taken on anything that's not right.
Step 3: Report Compilation
Back home, I compile the report with photos inserted next to descriptions. Room-by-room breakdown, summary of key issues, fair assessment of responsibility. Emailed to you same day, usually within 2-3 hours.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to do your own end of tenancy check? Here's how to make it stand up at arbitration:
🔧 Equipment needed
- Good phone camera (or actual camera)
- Original inventory for comparison
- Notepad or tablet for notes
- Time - don't rush it
📋 Systematic approach
- Start at the front door, work through each room methodically
- Compare condition to check-in inventory (crucial!)
- Photograph EVERYTHING - damage and general condition
- Take wide shots (whole room) and close-ups (specific issues)
- Note where normal wear ends and damage begins
- Test everything - taps, appliances, windows, doors
⚠️ Common mistakes landlords make
- Claiming for normal wear and tear (you'll lose at TDS)
- Poor quality photos that don't show the issue clearly
- No comparison to original inventory
- Emotional language ("disgusting", "unacceptable") instead of factual descriptions
- Rushing it and missing issues
💡 Pro trick: Take dated photos. Most phones embed the date automatically, but if using a camera, include a newspaper or dated item in some shots. TDS disputes sometimes hinge on proving when damage occurred.
✍️ Report writing tips
- Be factual: "15cm hole in bedroom 2 wall, not present on check-in photos"
- Not emotional: "they've trashed the place"
- State location clearly: "Bathroom 1, above bath, 3 tiles cracked"
- Compare to inventory: "Kitchen worktop shows 5cm burn mark, not documented at check-in"
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
📋 No original inventory? I can still document current condition thoroughly. It's less useful for deposit disputes (no baseline to compare), but still better than nothing if issues escalate. Really though - always do check-in inventories!
Furnished vs unfurnished - furnished takes longer (more items to check), so allow extra time. Unfurnished is mainly property condition.
Already see obvious damage? Still do the full check - there's usually more you miss in a quick look, and the comprehensive record protects you if tenant disputes your deductions.
Multiple properties turning over? Book me in advance - end of month is always busy with everyone's tenancies ending. I can schedule multiple checks back-to-back.
Exeter rental stock is often Victorian/Edwardian properties - these naturally show more wear and tear than modern builds. The report accounts for property age when assessing fair wear vs damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included in an end of tenancy check?
Full walk-through of every room, checking condition against the inventory. I photograph everything - walls, floors, fixtures, appliances - and note any damage beyond normal wear and tear. You get a detailed report with photos showing exactly what state the property's in, so there's no argument when it comes to deposits.
How is this different from an inventory?
An inventory documents the property at the START of a tenancy (what condition it was in when the tenant moved in). This is the check-OUT at the END - comparing current condition to that original inventory. It shows what's changed during the tenancy and whether damage is fair wear or tenant responsibility.
Do you decide how much deposit to keep?
No - I just document the facts. I'll note 'hole in wall, not present on check-in inventory' or 'carpet worn but consistent with 3 years of normal use'. You use that report to make fair deposit deductions. If it goes to dispute, you've got proper evidence.
How long does a check take?
1.5 hours for a small flat, up to 3 hours for a larger house. I'm thorough but efficient - checking properly takes time. You get the report with photos emailed the same day, usually within a few hours of the inspection.
Should the tenant be present during the check?
Not required but often helpful - they can point out any issues they've reported previously, and there's transparency about what's being noted. Some landlords prefer tenant not present to avoid awkwardness. Your call - both work fine.
End of tenancy check Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your end of tenancy check job in Exeter.
01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
Why Trust Us
Need End of tenancy check in Exeter?
Get a free quote for your end of tenancy check job in Exeter today.