If you’re a landlord or letting agent, protecting your property at the start of a tenancy is critical, and one of the first decisions you’ll make is whether to choose a standard inventory or an inventory with check-in.
What a standard inventory covers
A standard inventory records the condition and contents of a property at a point in time, usually before a tenant moves in: a room-by-room description, fixtures and fittings, condition and cleanliness notes, and photographic evidence. It’s normally completed without the tenant present, and used later as the baseline for the check-out comparison.
What an inventory with check-in adds
An inventory with check-in includes everything above, plus the tenant check-in itself: the tenant meets the clerk at the property, meter readings are updated, smoke alarms are tested, keys are handed over, signatures recorded in the report and copy sent to the tenant. The tenant will be informed by the inventory clerk that they can comment and upload photographs within 7 days from the check in. Any maintenance issues that need immediate attention will have to be sent separately to the agent/landlord to be fixed.
Why check-ins reduce disputes
Most end-of-tenancy disputes come down to one question: was the tenant aware of the property’s condition at move-in? A standard inventory doesn’t always answer that clearly. A signed check-in does, there’s no ambiguity about condition, tenants can’t claim they never saw the report, and the evidence is far stronger in a deposit dispute.
Our recommendation
If cost is the main factor, a standard inventory is a solid baseline. But for maximum protection, fewer disputes and stronger legal evidence, most experienced landlords and agents now choose inventory with check-in as standard.
