Services

We offer a comprehensive range of premium quality inspection reports carried out by fully trained inventory clerks that cover all stages of the tenancy.  These include detailed Inventories with schedule of condition, Check-In and Check-Out reports complete with maintenance recommendations, Mid Term Inspections to ensure properties are properly maintained throughout the tenancy, Betterment Reviews designed to help landlords most appropriately present the property for market and Snagging Service to check completion of new or newly decorated properties.

Inventories

The inventory with schedule of condition forms a vital part of the contractual agreement between the landlord and tenant of each rented property.  Comprehensive and accurate inventories will significantly reduce the likelihood of potentially costly disputes at the end of each tenancy especially where produced by a professional, independent company and combined with proper check-in and check-out reports.  The introduction of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme makes this even more important.   Each item in the property is described and its superficial condition given.  Although we are not structural engineers or surveyors, Blackwater Inventories will also note external structural features where these significantly appear to require attention.

Our inventories are produced using specialised bespoke software.   The layout makes each item easy to find and every item is numbered.   We pride ourselves on the level of detail included but, equally, we ensure that the overall condition is clear so you can "see the wood for the trees".

Each inventory is paginated and the rooms individually indexed.

Uniquely, our inventories also include a page of check-out advice for tenants.  This helps ensure that the property is returned in good condition at the end of the tenancy.

On request, digital photographs can be taken or video recordings made of the property in support of the inventory.

Three bound hard copies are produced of each inventory, usually 24-48 hours after inspection.

Check-Ins

Check-ins traditionally involve walking the property agreeing the inventory with the tenants.  Some of our clients ask us to produce the reports without the tenants present and we are happy to do that with the proviso that the tenants are asked to check and confirm/amend the details in writing within a few days of the start of the tenancy.

Our reports include the general condition of the property by area and include meter readings, details of keys, any areas requiring cleaning and details of individual areas requiring particular repair/attention.

Check-Outs

Check outs are similar to check-ins but the inspection is also to ascertain any damage that may be the tenants' liability.  Our experience enables us to distinguish avoidable dilapidation chargable against the tenant's deposit from normal deterioration through fair wear and tear.

Disputes at the end of a tenancy usually involve the state of cleanliness and chargeable damage.  By appointing an experienced independent company these disputes can usually be avoided, particularly if the same company also produced the inventory.

An important part of our check-out report details areas of repair/maintenance required with particular focus on apparent safety and legislative requirements.   These are noted in a separate section so they can be readily given to your maintenance contractors.

Mid-Term Inspections

Periodic inspections throughout the term of a tenancy ensure a regular check is kept on how well the tenants are looking after the property and that any major dilapidation issues are identified early. These reports are less detailed than for either check-in or check-out.  They give a view of the overall condition of the property, opinion on how well the tenants are looking after it and any obvious maintenance requirements with particular focus on safety.

Betterment Reviews

We will inspect the property and produce a report detailing any apparent maintenance requirements and suggesting areas of decorative or other improvements appropriate to the property.

These reviews are designed to assist the landlord/agent in maximising the rental opportunity.  They are particularly useful prior to the property being advertised and certain aspects are included as part of our usual check-in and check-out reports.

 Blackwater Inventories.