Bath is unlike almost anywhere else to let property. The whole city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, much of the centre sits within a conservation area, and a large share of its homes are listed Georgian buildings in honey-coloured Bath stone. For landlords, that heritage is a big part of the appeal. It also makes a thorough inventory more important, because period features are expensive to repair and easy to argue about.
Period features need their own record
A standard inventory template often skips the details that matter most in a Georgian townhouse. Sash windows, original shutters, cornicing and ceiling roses, marble or stone fireplaces, panelled doors, historic flooring and stone steps all deserve a specific description and close-up photographs. Recording their condition at the start protects the landlord if something is damaged, and protects the tenant from being charged for wear that was already there.
Describe age and condition, not just presence
In a period property much of the fabric is old by definition. Hairline cracks in plaster, gaps in floorboards, worn stone thresholds and sash windows that stick in damp weather are often part of the building’s character rather than tenant damage. A good report states this clearly at check-in, so that everyone knows what counts as existing wear and what would be new.
Fixtures, decoration and permission
Listed status means changes to the building can need consent. Tenancy agreements in Bath often restrict fixings, redecoration and alterations for this reason. The inventory should record existing picture hooks, fixings and paint finishes, so that any new holes or colours can be identified at the end of the tenancy and dealt with properly.
Cleaning and care in older homes
Stone, lime plaster and original timber need gentler care than modern finishes. Recording the cleaning standard at check-in, and giving tenants simple guidance on caring for period features, prevents well-meaning damage from harsh products and helps the check-out go smoothly.
Independent inventories across Bath
Our clerks work across all BA postcode districts and are used to recording listed and character properties in the detail they need. See our property inventory services in Bath, or read about our inventory with check-in service.
Work with us in Bath
We are building our team of local clerks. If you have an eye for detail and want flexible self-employed work, see our inventory clerk jobs in Bath.