Inventory check in in Exeter
Professional inventory check in services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£110-£210
Typical Duration
1.5-4 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Detailed inventory check-in with photos and professional report - document property condition when tenants move in, protect deposits for end of tenancy.
Protect Your Deposits Properly
Tenants move out. Property's damaged. You want to make deductions from deposit. Tenant disputes it. Deposit protection scheme asks for evidence of condition at start of tenancy.
You've got... nothing. No inventory. No photos. No case.
💡 Pro tip: Deposit protection schemes side with tenants when landlords can't prove damage wasn't pre-existing. A proper check-in inventory means you can defend deposit deductions and actually get your property repaired.
Why Professional Inventory Matters
| ✅ Proper Documentation | ❌ No Inventory |
|---|---|
| Detailed photos of every room | Your memory versus tenant's |
| Neutral professional report | No evidence |
| Deposit deductions stick | Tenants dispute, you lose |
| Insurance claims supported | Can't prove condition |
The difference? Protecting thousands in deposits versus writing off damage.
What Gets Documented
🔧 Complete Property Documentation
| Area | What's Recorded |
|---|---|
| Every room | Photos, condition notes, existing marks/damage |
| Walls/ceilings | Marks, scuffs, cracks, decoration condition |
| Floors | Carpet condition, stains, scratches on hard floors |
| Windows | Condition, operation, locks, any damage |
| Fixtures | Lights, switches, sockets, radiators working |
| Appliances | Condition, cleanliness, test they work |
| Furniture | Condition if furnished, note existing damage |
| Garden | Overall state, fence condition, what's planted |
| Meters | Readings recorded |
📦 You're Left With
- Detailed written report
- Comprehensive photos
- Signed and dated documentation
- Copy for you, copy for tenant
- Solid evidence for end of tenancy
Pricing Guide
| Property Size | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small flat (1-2 bed) | 1.5-2 hrs | £110 |
| Average house (3 bed) | 2.5-3 hrs | £135-£160 |
| Large property (4+ bed) | 3-4 hrs | £160-£210 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Furnished properties take longer than unfurnished.
Perfect For Your Property If...
✅ All new tenancies - protect every deposit properly
✅ HMO properties - document each room individually
✅ Furnished rentals - lots of items to record
✅ High-value properties - significant deposits to protect
Why Choose Us for Inventory check in in Exeter?
Detailed condition report with photos
Protect deposits with proper documentation
Evidence for end-of-tenancy disputes
Professional neutral assessment
What to Expect
Step 1: Systematic Documentation
Walk through every room photographing and noting condition. Record everything - existing damage, cleanliness level, what works, what doesn't.
Step 2: Test Everything
Check appliances work, taps flow, lights switch on, windows open, locks work. Document if anything's not functioning properly.
Step 3: Report & Sign
Prepare detailed report with photos. Get tenant to sign acknowledging receipt. You keep copy, tenant keeps copy.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to do your own inventory check-ins? Here's how to do it properly:
🔧 Essential equipment
- Good camera or smartphone with decent camera
- Clipboard with printed inventory template
- Tape measure for recording dimensions
- Working pen (sounds obvious but...)
- Time - don't rush this
📋 The thorough documentation routine
- Start outside - front of property, garden, outbuildings
- Work systematically room by room (don't skip around)
- Photo every room from multiple angles
- Photo any existing damage close-up
- Note condition of everything - walls, floors, fixtures
- Test all appliances and record condition
- Record all meter readings
- Get tenant to sign and date report
- Give them a copy immediately
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Not taking enough photos (more is better)
- Vague descriptions ("wall marked" - where? how big? what colour?)
- Forgetting to test appliances (they break day 1, you can't prove they worked)
- Not getting tenant signature (they'll claim they never saw it)
💡 Pro trick: Use a systematic template and identical approach for every property. Makes it faster, ensures you don't miss anything, and creates consistent professional documentation.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Check-in and check-out? Best practice is same person does both. I'll have detailed knowledge of your property and can accurately compare conditions. Makes end-of-tenancy much simpler.
Timing: Do the inventory check-in on move-in day before tenants unpack. Otherwise their stuff's everywhere and you can't photograph properly.
Tenant cooperation: Most tenants appreciate professional inventory - protects them too by proving what damage was pre-existing. The awkward ones are often those planning to trash the place.
Deposit disputes: Deposit protection schemes heavily favour landlords who have proper professional inventory. Those without often lose disputes even with clear damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's an inventory check-in and why do I need one?
It's a detailed record of the property's condition when tenants move in - photos, notes on every room, recording existing damage and cleanliness. Essential for protecting deposits at the end of tenancy. Without one, you've got no evidence if tenants dispute damage claims.
What do you document during check-in?
Condition of walls, floors, ceilings, fixtures, fittings, appliances, furniture, garden. Photos of everything. Note existing marks, damage, cleanliness level. Record meter readings. The lot - so at check-out you can prove what was pre-existing versus new damage.
How long does an inventory check-in take?
Depends on property size. Small flat might be 1.5-2 hours, average house 2-3 hours, larger property 3-4 hours. Done properly with photos and detailed notes takes time - but protects potentially thousands in deposits.
Do you provide a written report?
Yes - detailed written report with photos, signed and dated. You get a copy, tenant gets a copy. Neutral professional documentation that deposit protection schemes accept as evidence.
Can you also do the check-out at end of tenancy?
Yes - actually better if same person does both check-in and check-out. I'll have detailed knowledge of the property and can accurately compare condition. Makes deposit deductions much easier to justify.
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