Landlord Guide to Letting Out Your Property

1. Prepare Your Property for Letting

Before marketing your property, it’s essential to ensure it is safe, compliant, and ready for tenants.

• Ensuring the property is professionally cleaned, safe, and habitable
• Checking all fixtures, fittings, and appliances are in working order
• Making sure the property meets current safety and compliance standards, for example working smoke alarms, CO2 alarms and Heat Alarms.

One of the most common mistakes landlords make at this stage is overlooking documentation — and this is where disputes usually begin.

👉 A professional landlord inventory report creates a clear, impartial record of the property’s condition before the tenancy starts.

2. Why a Professional Inventory Report Is Essential

A landlord property inventory is one of the most important documents in a tenancy. It protects landlords by providing independent evidence of a property’s condition and contents at the start of the let.

• Written descriptions of every room
• Fixtures, fittings, furniture, and appliances
• Meter readings and key sets
• High-resolution photographs

At Inventory One, we provide independent, impartial inventory reports prepared in line with industry best practice and deposit protection requirements.

Without a professional inventory, landlords may struggle to:

• Support deposit deduction claims
• Prove damage beyond fair wear and tear
• Resolve disputes at the end of the tenancy

2. Why a Professional Inventory Report Is Essential

A landlord property inventory is one of the most important documents in a tenancy. It protects landlords by providing independent evidence of a property’s condition and contents at the start of the let.

• Written descriptions of every room
• Fixtures, fittings, furniture, and appliances
• Meter readings and key sets
• High-resolution photographs

At Inventory One, we provide independent, impartial inventory reports prepared in line with industry best practice and deposit protection requirements.

Without a professional inventory, landlords may struggle to:

• Support deposit deduction claims
• Prove damage beyond fair wear and tear
• Resolve disputes at the end of the tenancy

3. Check-In: A Professional, Tenant-Focused Process

A professional check-in ensures the tenancy starts smoothly and that the condition of the property is clearly understood by all parties from day one.

At Inventory One, our check-in process goes beyond basic paperwork and provides landlords with clear, independent documentation supported by a structured tenant handover.

Our check-in service includes:

• A meet and greet with the tenant on move-in day
• A brief walkthrough of the property, highlighting key areas
• Discussing any issues identified during the inventory and discussing cleaning standards
• Locating meters and recording accurate meter readings
• Documenting and handing over keys
• Processing the completed report and emailing it directly to the tenant and Landlord, with a disclaimer for review and signature

This structured approach ensures transparency at the start of the tenancy and significantly reduces the risk of disputes later on.

Inventory One provides professional inventory make and check-in services for landlords and letting agents across East London, ensuring every tenancy is documented correctly from the outset.

4. During the Tenancy: Interim Property Inspections

Regular interim inspections help landlords protect their property throughout the tenancy without being intrusive.

• Identifying maintenance issues early
• Ensuring the property is being looked after
• Spotting unauthorised occupants or damage
• Reducing costly end-of-tenancy repairs

Our interim property inspections provide clear written updates supported by photographic evidence.

5. Check-Out: Protecting Your Deposit Claims

At the end of the tenancy, a check-out report compares the property’s condition against the original inventory and check-in report.

• Changes in condition
• Damage beyond fair wear and tear
• Cleaning standards
• Missing or broken items

Inventory One’s check-out inspections are independent and evidence-based, making them suitable for deposit disputes.

6. Common Landlord Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

• Using outdated or self-completed inventories
• Skipping professional check-ins
• Missing interim inspections
• Poor or inconsistent photographic evidence

Using a professional inventory provider helps landlords stay compliant, reduce risk, and protect rental income.

7. Inventory Services for Landlords in London

We have tailor made services for your requirements:

Inventory Reports – Detailed, impartial reports documenting a property’s condition at the start of a tenancy

Inventory & Check-In Reports – Professional tenant check-ins to ensure inventories are agreed correctly

Check-Out Reports – End-of-tenancy inspections to support deposit negotiations

Interim Inspections – Mid-tenancy inspections to monitor condition and maintenance issues

Condition Reports – A Condition Report provides a clear, surface-level overview of a property’s condition at a specific point in time.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) – Legally compliant EPC assessments for rental and residential properties.

Need Help Letting Out Your Property?

If you’re letting out a property and want to protect your investment properly, professional inventory and check-in reporting isn’t optional — it’s essential.

Contact Inventory One to arrange your landlord inventory, check-in, check-out or inspection service.

Have A Question?

If you’re unsure which service you need or would like advice on inventories, check-ins, or inspections our team is happy to help. Feel free to contact us for straightforward guidance or to discuss your requirements.

We provide inventory and check-in services across London, including Canary Wharf, East London, and South East London.

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You may also find our Landlord Inventory Checklist helpful.