One of the best ways to minimise the risk of disputes with tenants over the return of deposits at the end of the tenancy is to carry out a detailed and clear inventory at the start of every tenancy.

It is very important that a detailed inventory is carried out at the start of the tenancy. If tenants are aware that the state and contents of the property has been itemised, they are more likely to ensure that the property is left in the same condition in which it was originally let. Inventories are particularly important now that the tenancy deposit is looked after by a third party company.

At check-in, the inventory should detail the current state of the property, including descriptions and condition of the inventory items, fixtures and furnishing. This helps landlords and letting agents compare the state of the property at check-in and at check-out. Make sure the inventory is written in clear language and defines the terms used to report the condition of items in the property.

If an inventory is not carried out, or if it was insufficiently detailed, then it may not be clear how the property should be left before departure, which could lead to a dispute between the landlord and the tenant.  This is why the inventory should be as detailed as possible to avoid any dispute.