Posts Tagged "Letting Agent"


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.

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.


What role does tech play with property inventories? 

Inventories are used to help prevent disputes at the end of a tenancy. These vital documents allow accurate comparisons of the condition of the property at the start and end of the tenancy to be made.

When it comes to property inventories, technology plays an increasingly large role. Reliable technology can be utilised to store written, photographic, and video evidence digitally, and also help to make the process faster and more effective.

Professional inventory clerks are trained to use different devices and software to carry out these checks efficiently and accurately. 

Make inventories more efficient 

Technology helps to make inventories more efficient because of the ease-of-use different software and devices can provide.

As the market continues to develop, we can expect the inventory process to become ever more digitised. For example, conducting reports through smart devices and inventory management software is becoming more common. 

Easy access to these important documents online helps to cut down time. The possibility of losing these in the mail is also ruled out, which then prevents time-wasting delays.

At present, the level of demand continues to outweigh the number of rental properties available in the PRS. For this reason, along with the aims of many tenants to move in ahead of the Christmas rush, the market remains very busy.

During this busy period, landlords and letting agents will have much to focus on, but technology can assist by making sure that efficiency and accuracy is maintained when it comes to inventories.

Inventories include evidence about fixtures, furniture, fittings, and decorations. The condition of these various elements is not only noted in detail, but high-quality videos and images can improve their usefulness further still.

Overall, the process of recording these intricate details can be time-consuming. Nonetheless, inventory software helps by making details about the property easy to track and display. 

Most inventories are also now signed online by all parties to ensure the process is smoother and easier to track.

Make inventories more accurate and precise

An inventory that has not been conducted with precision could cost a landlord thousands of pounds in the long term. 

If it fails to demonstrate the condition, cleanliness and contents of a property, it will be extremely difficult to make a successful claim. Whether taking images or date-stamping information, it must be a true reflection of the condition at the start and end of a tenancy.

The more accurate the inventory, the easier it will be to demonstrate whether the tenant is liable for any expenses. 

Technology, when used properly, can support more accurate and robust inventories, enabling landlords to keep comprehensive records of every tenancy.

For this reason, it is vital that the individuals carrying out the inventories have a thorough understanding of how to use the technology at their disposal to improve the inventory process.

At the AIIC, all our members are trained to provide the best possible service. Our independent inventory clerks are equipped to use devices to capture clear videos and images. They are also trained to use professional software to correctly log and store the information. 

As an agent or landlord, you 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.