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How Should I Price My Inventory Reports

How Should I Price My Inventory Reports?

As members of the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC), one common query that often surfaces is how to effectively price inventory reports. The dilemma of pricing echoes across various forums where some members discuss the ongoing “race to the bottom” in pricing.

In the field, you’ll find inventory clerks who consistently secure the best jobs at premium rates, and others who find themselves reducing prices to stay competitive against lower-cost providers. So, what differentiates the two? Is it merely the geographical location, or is there more strategy involved?

Just as in retail where Aldi might sell a block of Cheddar cheese for £2.49 and Waitrose for £5.75, the inventory service market also varies widely. The key to effective pricing starts with understanding where you position your business in the market.

1. Market Positioning:

If your strategy is high volume at a rapid turnover, your prices might lean towards the lower end. However, if you focus on delivering detailed, high-quality reports with lower volume, you can justify higher fees.

2. Client Interaction:

I recommend not listing prices directly on your website. Instead, engage potential clients over the phone. This interaction is not just about quoting a price but building a rapport, demonstrating the unique value you bring to the table, making your service the preferred choice regardless of price.

3. Comprehensive Service:

In inventory reporting, the notion of doing partial inspections doesn’t quite fit. Your pitch should always centre on thoroughness. You’re not just providing a report; you’re giving peace of mind and detailed information they need to know about the property.

4. Pricing Guidelines:

I use a “rule of thumb” approach to determine my fees for inventory reports:

• Set Base price for each type of property eg. 1 Bedroom or 2 Bedroom
• Add X for each additional reception room
• Add X for each additional bathroom.
• Add X for furnishings.

For instance, a 3-bedroom unfurnished house might be priced at £230 for an inventory and check in (£200 base + £15 for an additional bathroom + £15 for an extra bedroom. However, adjustments might be made based on if the property is furnished or other special circumstances.

5. Premium Service:

Always position your service as the premium option. Inform clients upfront that your quote might be the highest they receive, but reassure them that it reflects the unparalleled quality and detail of your inventory inspection.

Ultimately, pricing inventory reports as an AIIC member is not just about undercutting competition or covering costs; it’s about valuing your expertise and the meticulous service you provide. It’s crucial to align your fees with the value you deliver, ensuring that clients understand the benefits of choosing a detailed, professional service over a cheaper, less thorough alternative.

Published on 03/10/2024 | Category: Blog | Comments Off on How Should I Price My Inventory Reports

Enhancing Client Relations for Inventory Clerks

Introduction

In the fast-paced world of property management, effective client relations are the cornerstone of a successful business. Whether you’re an independent inventory clerk or part of a larger agency, building and maintaining strong relationships with landlords and real estate agents is essential. This article offers practical tips and strategies to enhance communication, resolve conflicts, and deliver exceptional customer service.

Building Strong Foundations

Understand Your Client’s Needs: Begin by thoroughly understanding what landlords and real estate agents expect from your service. Tailor your approach to meet their specific needs, whether it’s delivering detailed reports, providing quick updates, or handling sensitive tenant issues.
Clear and Concise Communication: Establish a routine for regular updates and check-ins. Use clear, concise language in all communications. Consider tools like newsletters, brief emails, or even SMS for quick updates to keep clients informed about their properties and any issues.
Professionalism at Every Step: From your appearance to the layout of your reports, maintaining a high level of professionalism is crucial. Use templates for your reports and correspondences that reflect your branding and professional standards.

Navigating Challenges and Conflicts

Active Listening: When conflicts arise, practice active listening to truly understand the concerns of your clients. This approach helps in identifying the root cause of issues and paves the way for a constructive resolution.
Stay Calm and Composed: Always keep a calm demeanor, regardless of the situation. This helps in maintaining a professional atmosphere and can defuse potential tensions.
Solution-Focused Approach: Approach every problem with a mindset to find a solution. Be proactive in suggesting practical solutions and be willing to compromise when necessary to maintain the relationship.

Exceeding Expectations

Go Beyond the Basics: Offer insights or advice that may help clients manage their properties more effectively. For instance, update them about recent legal changes or market trends that could impact their investments.
Ask for Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback on your services. This not only shows that you value their opinion but also gives you critical insights into how you can improve.
Recognition and Personal Touches: Small gestures like sending birthday cards, celebrating milestones, or even remembering personal details can significantly enhance client relationships.

Conclusion

Improving client relations is an ongoing process that requires attention, dedication, and a genuine interest in seeing your clients succeed. By implementing these strategies, inventory clerks can build lasting and productive relationships with landlords and real estate agents, paving the way for mutual success.

Published on 19/09/2024 | Category: Blog | Comments Off on Enhancing Client Relations for Inventory Clerks

Feel the benefit of AIIC

As 2023 draws to a close, it’s probably a good time to take stock of the year and think about some of the challenges that might lie ahead in 2024.

While we’re at it, we might take a moment to think about our important roles working within the PRS and also remind ourselves of the benefits of working together as an autonomous professional association.

This year we’ve seen many landlords leaving the sector and tenant demand sky rocket. The result has been a shortage of available homes and steep rent rises for tenants – some of whom have started to bid above the listed rent to be able to secure a property.

In May we saw the Renters (Reform) Bill introduced into Parliament and we waited until October for it to get its Second Reading. We’re also going to have to wait some more before the Bill is finalised – it is still subject to scrutiny and amendment – even though we know its most controversial measure (the scrapping of Section 21 evictions) has been put on hold until the court process is sorted out.

Whatever happens in the coming year, it is more important than ever that we stand united and work together to make our voice heard above the cacophony of noise from lobby groups and vested interests that constantly berate the law-makers.

Amid all this ‘noise’ it’s vitally important that we – as an independent association – continue to express our views clearly, with the interests of the entire sector at heart. After all, who else is in a position to give a truly objective view?

That is why we have to stay strong as an organisation – because our opinion matters and it is being listened to by thousands.

Increase the volume of work

In 2023 our PR campaign has been particularly successful – we’ve received extensive coverage on a number of issues that affect our sector.

Whether it was a call to ease the tax burden for landlords, how to tackle pets in lets or preventing the threat of bedbug invaders, we’ve attracted dozens of headlines across the trade Press and explained the true value of the independent perspective of inventory clerks throughout the country.

I’m sure members will agree that is important – but we’re not just a campaigning organisation.

With AIIC members are trained to a recognised industry standard according to guidelines for professional practice. We also run CPD courses on inspections and safeguarding (run free for members one month every year).

Government endorsed quality

We are also long-standing holders of Trustmark – the Government endorsed quality scheme – recognised throughout the industry.

We run the Find A Clerk Portal which fields job enquiries from landlords and agents. Over the next year we’re going to work to boost the SEO and increase the volume of work it generates.

We run a recruitment page and Forum – where members can share experiences and gather advice from other professionals.

We share our extensive knowledge-base to help in the workplace. Our factsheets are always available.

We provide free membership of the PRS for complaint handling and to strengthen consumer trust and we run the Central Office Help Line – where experienced staff are on call to help with any issues or queries members may have.

And we give you political representation – our Chair sits on the PRS Advisory Paneland regularly attends the Lettings Industry Council as well as industry events like the ARLA Conference.

2024 is going to be a big year for the PRS – we have to campaign to see it thrive and grow. We need more rental homes, a better tax framework to keep landlords from leaving the sector, we want independent inventories and inspections made compulsory for every tenancy, we demand a fair deal for all sides. Join us and add your voice to ours. You’ll feel the benefit.

Published on 30/11/2023 | Category: Blog | Comments Off on Feel the benefit of AIIC

Inventories hold the key to renting homes with pets, says AIIC boss

Inventories will be the last line of defence for landlords worried about having to allow pets in their rented properties, according to one industry leader.

Daniel Evans, chair of the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC) says: “A detailed inventory showing the condition of a property at the start of the tenancy agreement is the only way a landlord can be sure of the extent of any damage which may have been done by a pet.”

The new Renters (Reform) Bill, currently going through Parliament, has been described as the most radical piece of legislation affecting the Private Rented Sector (PRS) for a generation.

It is intended to redress the balance of power between landlord and tenant.

One of the most controversial proposals is to make it easier for tenants to keep pets in rented properties. All they need is written permission from landlords but that permission must not be unreasonably withheld.

Deny permission

As things stand at the moment, landlords can ban tenants from keeping pets as part of their tenancy agreement.

But if the reform is passed, landlords will have to consider all requests from tenants who wish to keep a pet at the property and they will be required to allow or deny permission within 42 days in writing.

If a landlord refuses a pet request and tenants decide to challenge the decision, the matter could be referred to the courts or a newly-created PRS Ombudsman.

Daniel says: “A professional, independent, inventory is vital for any successful tenancy if disputes are to be avoided further down the line.

“But if more tenants are going to be allowed to keep pets, the danger of additional property damage only increases.

“Of course, most pet owners are responsible people but with the best will in the world, there is always a risk of damage when animals are left in properties.

“Any dispute may well centre around what constitutes fair wear and tear. The only way to resolve that is to have accurate documentation and photographic representation of the state of the property when the tenant moved in.”

Included among the provisions of the new reforms is a clause allowing landlords to request that the tenant buys insurance to cover their pets for property damage or organise their own insurance which would be paid for by the tenants.

In years gone by, landlords could have charged a higher deposit for pet-owning tenants but deposits have been capped at five weeks’ rent since 2019.

Necessary evidence

“Insurance cover will be helpful,” says Daniel.

“But sometimes pet damage is not discovered immediately – it may be weeks before it comes to light.

“Or maybe the tenant hasn’t kept up with the insurance premiums? In those circumstances the landlord will be looking to the tenant’s deposit to make good the damage. If that happens, the inventory will provide the necessary evidence to prove or disprove the case.

“The same may be true of the quality of décor or cleanliness throughout the property itself, or in the surrounding gardens or outbuildings, if they form part of the let.

“In some cases, the best way to deal with this may be through more regular property inspections. Who better to conduct those than the professional clerk who drew up the check-in inventory?”

The Bill is currently at second reading. Before it becomes law it needs to pass a committee stage, report stage, and third reading in the Commons before going through the same process in the House of Lords.

Published on 18/07/2023 | Tags: Landlords, Letting Agents. Tenants, Pets, Renters (Reform) Bill | Category: Blog | Comments Off on Inventories hold the key to renting homes with pets, says AIIC boss

New law should make independent inventories compulsory

The Renters’ Reform Bill must include measures to make independent inventories compulsory in every tenancy agreement, says AIIC Chair Daniel Evans.

The controversial and long-awaited Bill was introduced into the House of Commons last month after being delayed for what the Government described as ‘procedural reasons.’

Now, Daniel has called on Ministers to take this opportunity to add strict regulations making the use of independent inventories by landlords and letting agents mandatory.

The Renters’ Reform Bill has been described as the most radical reform of the Private Rented Sector for a decade.

The proposals laid out in the Bill include:

The abolition of Section 21 (so-called ‘no-fault’) evictions;
The introduction of a Decent Homes Standard for the PRS;
A Government-appointed Ombudsman;
Restrictions on landlords’ ability to put up rents

It is generally believed that the Bill is intended to address imbalances within the PRS which, up to now, favoured landlords.

But Daniel believes this new legislation is the perfect opportunity to include a reform which would be independent of both landlord and tenant.

“Inventory companies have the capability of being the only truly independent agencies operating throughout the lettings process,” he says.

“It is clear the Government wants to ‘professionalise’ the PRS and this is an obvious place to start. Ministers should take this opportunity to include a clause which makes independent inventory mandatory.

Credibility

“Then, in the event of a dispute, the inventory will be valuable evidence to offer to the deposit protection scheme provider.

“But if this process is going to have credibility for the tenant as well as the landlord, that inventory must be curated by an independent agency.

“This increase in transparency is not just about tenants. Landlords, too, can benefit from utilising the services of a professional independent inventory clerk to improve the service for everyone.”

Daniel’s call comes after new data suggests the number of landlords planning to sell rented properties has reached its highest rate on record.

Polling by research consultancy BVA-BDRC found that in Q1 2023, 33% of private landlords in England and Wales said they planned to cut the number of properties they rent out. This is an all-time high recorded by BVA-BDRC and is up from the 20% who said they planned to cut the number of properties they let in Q1 2022. This comes despite demand being at a record high with landlords blaming taxation policy, high interest rates and legislation for their withdrawal from the market. It is estimated that 65,000 properties were offloaded by landlords in the first quarter of 2023.

Published on 29/06/2023 | Tags: AIIC, Inventories, Landlords, Tenants | Category: Blog | Comments Off on New law should make independent inventories compulsory

The importance of independent inventories – spreading the word

The AIIC have issued a press release pointing out the benefits of independent inventories, and the potential pitfalls of going down the route of using a person or firm that is owned by or allied to a property company.

When you are running a members’ association of independent inventory clerks, it’s important to spread that message.

This helps to raise awareness among landlords, encouraging them to see the value and transparency of a truly independent report.

Value, because there is a separation between letting agents’ prices and our members’ prices, making an independent inventory more cost-effective.

Transparency, because independent inventories are unbiased and objective, and landlords and tenants know exactly who they are dealing with.

Value and transparency to impress clients

These are great points which our members can use to market themselves to landlords, or to letting agencies which do not employ their own inventory team.

And that whole question of employment is, in fact, rather opaque. Many landlords don’t realise that when they leave it to a letting or managing agency to arrange the inventory, (whether that company is large or small) the work is often passed to a firm that the agency owns.

This is where more awareness is needed, because in the above scenario, these companies are there to make money, while the AIIC is a not-for-profit organisation.

There is also the possibility of bias creeping in, in favour of the landlord; and if there is a dispute between individual landlords or agencies and tenants when damage has occurred, this potential for bias may be taken into account in any adjudication process.

Fairness and objectivity are embedded

In contrast, fairness and objectivity will be the bedrock of the process when it is carried out by an independent individual or company which is a member of the AIIC.

AIIC chair Daniel Evans is calling on the Government to include measures in the Renters’ Reform Bill – going before Parliament this year – which would guarantee the use of qualified, independent inventory clerks in the inventory, check-in and check-out process.

But whether that happens, or until it happens, our members can help to raise awareness and garner more business by, for instance, pointing out on their websites and marketing materials that they are not only well-qualified, but also totally independent.

Landlords can also be made aware that this can reassure tenants, knowing that the inventory process will not be biased in favour of either side and will therefore have credibility.

This is why it will always be better for landlords to turn to our members for all their inventory needs.

Published on 02/05/2023 | Tags: Check-In, Check-Out, independent inventory clerks, Inventories, inventory disputes, Renters’ Reform Bill, tenant adjudication | Category: Blog | Comments Off on The importance of independent inventories – spreading the word

How to avoid turf wars over garden disputes

As flowers blossom and gardens look lush, it’s easy to forget that the most pleasurable of pastimes – enjoying one’s garden – can trigger a multitude of disputes, both with landlord-tenants and between neighbouring properties.

After all, gardens routinely rank in the top five reasons for deposit disputes in private tenancies. But it needn’t be like this if judicious landlords and lettings agents take some simple measures.

Untended gardens a hotbed of deposit disputes

Weeds, lawns, fences and overgrown bushes are the major issues with gardens, but the disputes often arise because of confusion over who is responsible for dealing with these common problems. According to a poll by TDS amongst 2,000 landlords and letting agents, 75% believe garden upkeep is down to the tenant. The problem is that the tenant doesn’t always know this. The minimum that is generally expected of the tenant throughout the tenancy is that they keep the garden litter-free, reasonably tidy and not overgrown.

For example, the tenant is usually expected to mow the lawn regularly and keep on top of weeding. This will usually be a standard clause in an AST agreement.

Conduct a thorough inventory at check-in – this will allow all parties to have a benchmark to work to. Advise tenants they must return the garden to that condition at the end of tenancy. Also, undertake seasonal checks – tenants knowing they are being inspected are much more likely to do what is expected and ask questions if issues arise.

Green isn’t everyone’s colour so keep garden designs simple

Tenants won’t necessarily have a voracious desire to keep gardens tended. So, assuming you are not dealing with a green-fingered man or woman, avoid busy flower beds and difficult-to-care-for plants. Opt instead for low maintenance borders and slow-growing trees or bushes. Also, If the property has a shed or garage, provide gardening equipment for the tenant such as a lawn mower and rake. Underpinning these steps is good communication – so from the start of a tenancy encourage a culture of open conversation. Make it easy for tenants to report issues as they arise, for example on a shared portal. Perhaps provide tenants with seasonal reminders about maintenance tips.

Occasional parties needn’t ruin a summer

Of course, with the best will in the world, disputes between neighbours can arise. In the case of your own tenant’s alleged nuisance, you’re not technically liable. However, you may be liable if you’ve allowed the tenants to cause the nuisance or if, when renting out your property, you were aware that nuisance was inevitable or almost certainly going to occur. It is in your interest to remind tenants of their overall responsibilities to neighbours- in the case of a flat, there will normally be a clause in the lease expecting people respect others’ amenity. Hence in terms of noisy parties, or odious smells, it will be expected that would be occasional and for limited periods of time. Ensure there is a ‘noise clause’ in your tenancy agreement and that tenants are aware that if they breach that clause, a possible repercussion could be eviction.

What’s the best way to deal with boundary problems?

Under the umbrella term of boundary disputes comes high hedges, dilapidated fences and walls and shared driveways, amongst others. In rental properties, the majority of external and structural property issues are a landlord’s responsibility to handle.

Communication is key. Boundary disputes can usually be avoided by a simple discussion, preferably between you and the neighbour, as opposed to the tenant and the neighbour. Be aware of what you are responsible for and let your tenant know. However, don’t let them make any changes to structural elements of the property that could affect the neighbours, because it’ll be partially your issue to fix.

Much of the above is about effective, early relationship building with tenants. Contact AIIC to find out more about our range of inventory services.

Published on 02/05/2023 | Tags: AST agreements, boundary disputes., Inventory, landlord gardening responsibilities, nuisance tenants | Category: Blog | Comments Off on How to avoid turf wars over garden disputes

Fire safety – what landlords need to know

In the latest available figures from the government’s Home Office, there were 29,750 domestic house fires in the year 2018/19. Of those, 253 people tragically died, with a further 7,160 injuries requiring treatment.

Thankfully deaths have been falling year on year, but it’s vital for landlords to meet all the rules and do everything they can to prevent fires, with the focus on saving lives rather than property.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires landlords to “eliminate or reduce the risk of fire as far as is reasonably practical”.

Here’s what you need to know for single lets, with a mention of multi-tenant properties as well.

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

This is covered by the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022.

All landlords must make sure there’s at least one smoke alarm on each storey of their home where there is a room used as living accommodation. They must also make sure that there’s a carbon monoxide detector in any room which has a fixed combustion appliance.

In practice the CO detector needs to be put in any room which houses a gas boiler, coal fire or wood burning stove. It doesn’t apply to gas cookers, but it’s a good idea to have a detector close to the cooker anyway. Again, going beyond the regulations, it’s good practice to install a heat detector in the kitchen. This won’t go off if someone burns the toast, but it will alert tenants to an actual fire.

By the way, wood burners are all the rage just now. But as well as complying with local authority rules, anything put in after 2011 needs an installation certificate, and you should tell your insurer.

Recommended alarms are compliant with British Standards BS 5839-6 – it will usually say so on the packaging. You can choose mains –powered (“hard wired”) versions or battery-powered. There are now “sealed for life” battery versions where the battery cannot be removed. These should last around 10 years.

Tip: use an inventory to prove compliance

Landlords are responsible for testing the alarms at the start of each new tenancy and repairing or replacing if there are faults. It’s a good idea to do this in front of the tenants and keep a written record which can be signed by all parties and can also be made part of the inventory.

Considerate landlords should consider providing sturdy step-stools, or a safe stepladder if there are high ceilings, to test and switch off ringing alarms – there’s nothing more calculated to annoy the neighbours!

The best place for smoke alarms is on the ceiling of halls and landings. CO detectors are portable and are best put on a wall or shelf around head height and about 1-3 metres away from the source of potential emissions.

Consider sharing the manufacturer’s instructions with the tenants.

The same rules cover unlicensed HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation). But if your HMO requires a licence, in practice the local authority rules will be the same as a minimum – and they may add extra requirements. There are other rules affecting HMOs including fire doors, emergency lighting and lots more. Contact your council if you are going down this route.

Furnishings

The rules apply to soft furnishings you have supplied as a landlord, and not to tenants’ own possessions.

Sofas and covers supplied with them must have a manufacturer’s label stating their fire resistance. Surprisingly, this doesn’t apply to mattresses and bed bases. Nor does it apply to pillows, cushions and bedcovers.

In practice it is much safer to make sure all items have fire-resistance labels, and it’s not recommended to buy second-hand furniture which is missing its labels.

Escape routes & firefighting

You should make sure that “escape routes” – ie hallways, stairs and landings – are not cluttered with, for example, bins, bicycles or suitcases. Try to ensure there’s space for these items in other parts of the premises.

If you have a single-let rental rather than an HMO, you don’t have to provide fire extinguishers or fire blankets. Think about having them anyway – powder or CO2 are best for extinguishers. None of them can be used on fires involving metal. Make sure tenants have instructions – but remind them it’s not their duty to fight fires, as it may be safest to leave the property.

If you would like to reduce risks or put together a fire plan, your local fire and rescue service can advise.

And the rest!

If you provide electrical equipment, even if it’s just a kettle, you could consider PAT testing once a year by an electrician or certified tester – this doesn’t cost much. Again, you can make this part of the inventory. There is no legal requirement to do this, however.

What’s mandatory is an EICR – Electrical Installation Condition Report – done by a qualified electrician. This can be upwards of £200 but it does last five years and will spot any wiring flaws and advise on how to fix them.

If you have gas, you will need a Gas Safety Certificate done annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Again, this is the law.

And relax…

Sticking to the above advice will hopefully give you and your tenants reassurance and peace of mind.

Here at the AIIC, our members can provide you with a professional inventory service covering all your landlord needs.

Published on 30/03/2023 | Tags: EICRs, gas safety certificate, HMOs, Inventories, landlord fire safety, PAT testing, soft furnishing rules | Category: Blog | Comments Off on Fire safety – what landlords need to know

Turn the light off as you leave…and make sure the property is clean

When someone moves into a flat or house, the likelihood (but not guaranteed) is that the carpets, floors and overall property are pristine – cleaned to within an inch of it’s life, or as the correct term would be ‘cleaned to a professional standard’.

The question – who is responsible for the home looking like this for the next tenant?

Cleaning disputes still top the list of disputes between landlord and tenant. According to one of the government deposits schemes 50% of deposit disputes related to cleaning in 2022 in the UK and 71% in Scotland.

All available evidence suggests that such disputes can be avoided if the correct evidence is provided at the start and end of the tenancy.

But lets examine how to avoid the cleaning issue.

It is the outgoing tenant who must leave the home in the standard they found it. The law allows for a reasonable amount of wear and tear of carpets when the tenant does leave, however betterment cannot apply.

We also encourage the landlord to have written evidence of what condition the property was in when the tenant moved in, supported by photographic proof.

Finally, both the tenant and landlord should conduct full inventories at the start of the tenancies and make sure they align.

Recent changes

Laws have been changed to make sure landlords can NOT make a standard charge against tenants for cleaning services or fees. This is reflected in the Tenant Fee Ban which came into force in 2019.

However, that doesn’t mean, as a landlord, you can’t use the deposit to pay for cleaning if the tenant has left the property in a condition that doesn’t meet the criteria of ‘same as you found it.’

As the tenant, it is and always has been their responsibility to leave the property in either the condition they found it or the condition specified in the inventory with an allowance made for fair wear and tear. Cleaning issues, however, are not considered fair wear and tear.

The difference can seem miniscule to some but it can end up being the sort of thing that rumbles on.

If the inventory states the property was cleaned to a professional standard on check in, then it requires the property to be ‘professionally cleaned to the same standard’ on the tenant’s departure, which often means hiring a company to perform the task.

Many tenants believe it possible to clean to a professional standard themselves but unfortunately any experienced inventory clerk will tell you they will gladly take a pound for every time they have heard ‘I’ve cleaned it better than when I moved in’ which is rarely the case

A tenant is able to clean the property themselves, as long as it meets the same professional standard at check in. Often tenants try to do this but miss areas that professional cleaners will clean as a matter of course which can lead to deposit deductions.

Our recommendation to the tenant is to have the cleaning done as the last thing before vacating the property. And then to make sure they have photographic evidence of the condition of the cleaning as they leave.

The landlord does not have the right to tell the tenant what company to use when it comes to cleaning the property. But having it done professionally, while potentially expensive, should ensure that the tenant receives their full deposit back.

As an agent or landlord, you should want to protect your investments and establish smooth transitions from one tenant to the next. We are dedicated to promoting the highest possible standards of accuracy and reliability in the inventory process and have been endorsing high levels of professionalism in the inventory business since 1996.

It is our mission to ensure proper information and training is provided and our bank of highly skilled members will provide the best possible service. For more information, please contact us or search for your local AIIC member clerk now.

You can also download a copy of our Code of Practice and Guidelines for Professional Practice guide here.

Published on 02/02/2023 | Tags: cleaning, Landlord, Tenant | Category: Blog | Comments Off on Turn the light off as you leave…and make sure the property is clean

Revealed – why professional inventory management training is so important

Inventories allow landlords and letting agents to keep on top of their property portfolios and limit potential loss of income from tenant disputes.

The level of professionalism, accuracy, and expertise of the inventory will contribute to the outcome of the tenancy.

Like with all industries, the right skills, knowledge, and abilities must be acquired to get the best result, and training provides exactly this.

Therefore, landlords and letting agents who recognise the necessity of inventory management training will be able to manage their properties effectively.

Trained professionals take less time

Inventory management training courses are not only aimed at those aspiring to become inventory clerks. Instead, new, associate members, interested parties and experienced clerks who wish to gain more confidence in their inventory reporting skills and refresh their knowledge are also welcome to undergo professional training.

Landlords and letting agents who choose to carry out their own inventories can receive the appropriate training. This will equip them with skills from knowledgeable sources about how to conduct these professionally and efficiently.

By delegating this task to accredited inventory clerks more time can be saved, as this will allow landlords and letting agents to focus on other important areas of their job.

Furthermore, professional inventories provide letting agents and landlords with all details about their properties contained in one easy to access place. This helps to save time as it makes tracking the status of the property simple and straightforward.

Less room for mistakes

Mistakes and inconsistencies with inventory reports can cost a landlord thousands of pounds in the long term. However, relying on someone who has been professionally trained to do them will reduce the risk of this happening.

Property inventory management training presents an opportunity to accumulate accurate knowledge about how to properly compile and analyse an inventory.

During training sessions, all the relevant information is covered including how to conduct reports, what to include, safety procedures, compliance issues, how to read meters, check outs and apportioning liability for damages and more.

Professional inventory management training is conducted in a way that is standardised therefore it limits the chances of vital information being missed. The more standardised this training is the less room there is for mistakes.

Training will improve the letting industry

Professional inventory management training can drastically improve the overall standard of tenancies and reduce the amount of disputes proceeding to arbitration.

Often, gaps in knowledge are what lead to mistakes. Therefore, if this gap was filled through the appropriate training more tenancies could be improved.

Inventories, that are done by a trained independent clerk make tenancies easier to manage and monitor. While certifications that are gained once the training is complete, allow people to easily recognise who is qualified to manage the inventory.

Inventories that are carried out by independent people who have the relevant qualifications will be done to the highest standard and prevent losses from being incurred. They will also help to simplify the lettings process for tenants, letting agents, and landlords.

As an agent or landlord, you want to protect your investments and establish smooth transitions from one tenant to the next. Here at The AIIC, we are dedicated to promoting the highest possible standards of accuracy and reliability in the inventory process and have been endorsing high levels of professionalism in the inventory business since 1996.

You can also download a copy of our Code of Practice and Guidelines for Professional Practice guide here.

Published on 01/12/2022 | Tags: Inventories, Inventory Management, Inventory Training, Landlord, Letting Agent, The AIIC, Training | Category: Blog | Comments Off on Revealed – why professional inventory management training is so important