AIIC calls for inventories to be made compulsory
By |Published On: 19th June 2017|

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AIIC calls for inventories to be made compulsory

By |Published On: 19th June 2017|

This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.

The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks has called on the Government to introduce compulsory, unbiased and regulated inventories as an industry standard.

Boasting more than 850 members nationwide, the AIIC feels that regulated inventories could assist in raising standards in the lettings market.

Deposits

A recent tenant survey from HomeLet has revealed that 12.5% of over 20,000 renters asked have had a deposit withheld.

The most common reasons for this were cleaning and redecoration fees – which could have been prevented with a solid, photographic inventory.

Interestingly, the research found that just 70% of tenants asked received an inventory of their property and its content from an agent before they moved in.

Danny Zane, joint chair of the AIIC, noted: ‘With the election over and a new housing minister now in place, it’s time for the government to think about housing and in particular the growing private rented sector, which now accounts for around a fifth of all households.’

‘Independent, third party inventories are a fundamentally important part of the lettings process and they need to be made obligatory.’[1]

Digital signature on tablet. Man hand puts digital signature on tablet. Vector illustration in flat design. Businessman approves deal or offer by electronic signature.

AIIC calls for inventories to be made compulsory

Biased

Moving on, Mr Zane said that: ‘Landlords and letting agents should not be compiling what can very easily be considered as biased inventory reports that tenants must sign prior to getting access to their new home.’

‘The proposed ban on letting agent fees charged to tenants has hogged all the headlines in recent months but there are other industry issues the government needs to think about. This ban seems very short-sighted to me as it is likely to encourage a rise in rents as well as a reduction in the protection of unbiased inventory reports being used.’

An unbiased and independently compiled inventory can save both tenants and landlords money, ensuring a fair move-in/move-out process for all parties,’ he concluded.[1]

[1] http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/landlords/calls-for-government-to-make-independent-inventories-compulsory.html

 

About the Author: Em Morley (she/they)

Em is the Content Marketing Manager for Just Landlords, with over five years of experience writing for insurance and property websites. Together with the knowledge and expertise of the Just Landlords underwriting team, Em aims to provide those in the property industry with helpful resources. When she’s not at her computer researching and writing property and insurance guides, you’ll find her exploring the British countryside, searching for geocaches.

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