bruce-thomas

Hi Stef,

I have a Samsung Galaxy S9 plus that I use for IB, I have tried to use the Ipad mini but it’s to cumbersome, the camera is ok.
I use the camera on the phone but depending on the light in the room, I have a Canon camera that I use as well, download all of the photos into the property folder then upload from there.
I also use a Jabra Headset to dictate as the microphone is very good, it cuts out most of the background noise and it makes it easier for the typist to hear what I am saying

I use InventoryBase, you download the template onto your phone you can rearrange rooms, add rooms, delete boxes that are not required, open each room and record the audio for that room, then take photos, either with your phone or a camera. I found the phone easier to use than a Ipad, if you are using your phone mute sound so that you don’t have the phone ringing or text /what’s app messages chiming in.
You can have your own templates added to use, which is what I have done. Reports can be White Labelled but that cost you more per your monthly subscription.
IB have a pool of typists that you can use, but I use RND Softech in India 24 hour turnaround is 30p per audio minute, they can do it in a shorter turnaround time but you will pay extra for that.
I use the mid term inspection templates too.
There are other templates available that you can add to your template library.

Why change and use software?
Reports can be e-signed once everyone has the report, easier to send out too,
you send them to the tenant, client and landlord, there is an audit trail you can look at if the tenant says they never got the report, check the activity page, the tenant’s email address opened it at this time on this date, problem solved.
Click on the photos in the report and they enlarge when you look at them on your PC.
Still save the report as a PDF, it can still be printed out if anyone wants it printed.
It is so much better than using a dictaphone but you can still use that and the software if you prefer just upload it when you are finished, send off to processing.
Tenants have the ability to add their comments & photos if you have missed anything off the report.

They even have InventoryBase Academy for training & CPD, this is run by Sian Hemming- Metcalfe, She is an inventory clerk based in Bournemouth and has been using the software for a few years.
She is happy to train you on the software, she has helped me out when I have needed it.
Like Stef said I was against using software but now use it and I suggested to Stef to try it out in a previous post.
The other benefit is Workstreams, if you can’t cover a job then offer it via Workstreams and it will be done for you and you can use your branding, and you will have work offered to you which you can bid on for the job.
Email me if you want to know more about the software,I can put you in touch with Sian if you want to talk to her,

Try it out and look at the website:
https://inventorybase.co.uk

There are 2 discussions on this topic, the other one is Lockdown
The Government has said that house moves are now a permitted activity along with fulfilling Legal Obligations, Accessing Critical Public Services and to escape injury, illness or the risk of harm,This was announced today 26th March.
Danny sent an email at 9:30 this morning

MHCLG GUIDANCE FOR THE SECTOR

Propertymark has spoken to a senior civil servant at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Goverment (MHCLG) this morning.

The civil servant stated that agents are not “essential businesses” under the new rules and therefore their view is that agents should close their offices immediately.

Furthermore, they stated that there should not be any in-person viewings, routine inspections or house moves.

MHCLG is still looking into property maintenance tasks such as gas safety checks and hopes to issue guidance on these points as soon as possible.

In a further development, British Asscoiation of Removers (BAR) has issued communications this morning instructing members that moves should only be completed if they are already underway, any move that has not yet started, should not go ahead.

Propertymark will keep members up to date later today and as any further information becomes available.

Hopefully that will happen on Tuesday?
It’s hard to know what to do as we have never been in this situation before

Hi Elaine,

What was the reason for the request?
If it is just to confirm the tenant is who they say they are? Do not keep a copy under any circumstances.
Read GDPR info in the essential reading area

Hi,

I looked into doing the course with Stroma it was about £1250.00 but what put me off was the fact that
there were so many people offering EPCs for about £40.00 I thought that it was not worth offering this service.

Hi Stef,

I have been using InventoryBase for several months and I have to say that its excellent
I can still dictate my reports into my own template that they have added to my template library.
Plus there are other report templates as well. eg Fitness for Human Habitation.
I then submit it for typing, I use my phone or you can use a dictaphone and upload it, once the report is
finished you can add the tenants details and it gets sent to them, they can add comments and or photos,
the tenants sign online and the system will send reminders to them to sign the report, each property also
has an audit trail so if a tenant says they did not get the report you can check to see if they have opened the email or not and it gives the date and time of opening so there should be no more issues of a tenant not getting the report.
They also have monthly webinars on various topics which gives you CPD hours