joanne-vermeulen

As inventory clerks, we are, in my opinion, overlooked by Propertymark for the most part. I have only ever paid the fee to have the logo on my paperwork which seems to reassure landlords and agents- I get very little for my money and as things are so tight at the moment, I am thinking of letting my membership lapse. there are no suitable training courses so making CPD targets is difficult and the courses, quite frankly are extortionate – especially for online courses which I can never do as I am out and about actually working. I feel a rant coming on so I will finish with saying I don’t think doubling the fee is fair for inventory clerks when there is very little benefit for us apart from logo branding

Great advice from both ladies. I too would threaten court and follow through if ignored. I would also refuse to work with him again. At the end of the day, you are paid to be impartial and render a professional judgement. If you are completely confident you have been impartial, don’t be afraid to follow through.

I am a bit torn here. I get what you are saying and I get what Rowley is saying. Easier said than done. I feel it should be seen as more professional to step aside on the conflict of interest as altogether this is fairer for all parties, but again, not always the case

Hiya – I am the other way around. I charge a set price to do the initial make. My check in fee is standardised flat rate with flats at one rate and house at another which includes an update fee after the first tenancy. My check outs are charged the same as the initial make as there is just as much time spent inspecting and compiling the report – sometime more if the property is let in shocking condition, so I always charge more for a check out than a check in. The first check in is cheaper therefore as no updating required.

As I understood it, but do correct me if I am wrong – the tenants are obliged contractually and under law to return the property at check out to the same level and standard as per check in, less fair wear and tear. If this included the carpets being cleaned at check in, they would be required to check them at check out or be charged. This has not come up for me that I am aware of, although I did have one tenant refuse to clean a carpet on the basis that he was hardly in the property and therefore had not used the carpets much – not the point really, but the landlord was not interested in arguing.

It might be worth asking your various agents what their tenancy agreement says in this regard and then you could include this in your disclaimers to prevent it happening again – as much as anyone of us prevent tenants being tenants.

I am not the legal person is correct in what he/she has said about cleaning

Most of the agents I work with have placed the CO monitor on the landing ceiling as close to the loft access panel as possible so it can be tested and batteries replaced when needed. I was told by a gas engineer it needed to be within three meters of the boiler, so it could be placed on the landing ceiling where it is accessible to both tenant and near the boiler so it can fulfil its purpose. I would say it is common sense, but we all know the people in charge have none!!!!

Hiya – alternatively You could do the check in but return the keys to the Agent for the tenant to collect on the day the tenancy starts. Do not hand over keys at the check in x

I am a little late to the party, but I too believe that for the sake of goodwill and relationships take this on the chin and then as others have suggested, tighten up procedures to prevent this happening again, but I would also recommend emailing all parties and tell them that you are investigating and keep them in the loop with what is happening so no bad feelings are caused. keys are an absolute nightmare which is why I know carry envelopes in my car at all times if I return keys after hours – Good Luck