Pixel

In 2017 private renting sector in UK was estimated to nearly 5 million homes, over 4 million properties rented each year.

The value of protected tenancy deposits for the year 2017 crossed 3,5 million GBP.  At the same time there was almost 31 000 adjudications completed in the same year.

Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) evaluated 50 percent increase in rental dispute adjudications between the years 2010 and 2017.

See the break down of the reasons for disputes in percentages:

Cleaning- 56

Damage- 51

Decoration- 28

Rent Arrears- 20

Gardening- 16

What to keep in mind when raising a dispute?

1. The dispute will be resolved only in terms of the amounts of the deposit, never higher than the total value of the deposit. If you wish to protect your property over the limit of the deposit you will need to insure your property.
2. The disputed amount of the deposit is held by the TDS from the point the dispute is raised until the adjudication process is completed.
3. The Adjudicator as a part of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme can not consider cases where tenants claim damage caused by landlord (due to disrepair in the property). Neither those where occupiers withhold a portion of the rent, from which they funded the repair , which was believed to be the landlords responsibility. In these instances tenants are advised to take legal action.
4. When raising a claim it is needed to provide evidence for the claims such as comprehensive Inventory and Check Out Report, quotes, invoices, receipts etc. The explanation of the claim should be clear, brief and factual. To find out more information about how to present a case please visit deposit disputes.
5. Once the TDS receive a dispute application, the other party will be requested to respond. It will take up to 28 days to examine the case and make a decision about how the money should be apportioned.

Pixel Inventory works closely with the approach of TDS towards rental disputes. We are familiar with the case studies and ensure that our reports represent the best evidence in case of a rental dispute.

Book now

Check Outs can be at times emotional and heated situations to handle.

As Inventory professionals we can experience following scenarios :

1. We are given access to the property and we are left to inspect it.
2. Landlords are present, pointing out all details they expect us to capture in the report.
3. Tenants are present, accepting or discussing pointed out issues.
4. Tenants are present, defensive and agitated, challenging our work and guidelines we follow.
5. Landlords and tenants are present,  negotiating pointed out issues as they come.

Sometimes we also experience a ” warm up” to a challenging Check Out or so called “after-part”:

1. Landlord is chasing us via phone picturing us the subjective view of the property, its state of cleanliness or the character of the tenants.
2. Tenants or landlords are intensely requesting to amend comments in the Report.

These Check Outs are is likely to be followed by a dispute.

WHAT DID WE LEARN?

We learned that as many people in the streets of London so many cultures, customs, expectations and approaches. This stands for both – tenants as well as landlords.

We learned that both tenants and landlords can act intimidating to us or to each other during the Check Out.

We learned that the work of a clerk can get considerably disrupted and prolonged, when either tenants or landlords or both parties are present during the full length of the Check Out.

We learned that both parties sometimes turn to us or pressure us as a judge when they disagree.

WHAT CHECK OUT IS AND WHAT IT IS NOT:

1. Check out is an Inspection where the clerk note all changes which occurred at the premises during the tenancy with the reference to the Check In Inventory . Check Out is not to examine spaces, items,  which were not described in the Original Inventory.
2. Check Out is preformed by an unbiased person, who is knowledgeable about appointing responsibilities and understands wear & tear.  Check Out is not a ground for the dispute or lengthy negotiations. Its purpose its to inform parties about the changes in compare to Check In and answer to the relevant questions about wear and tear versus damage.
3. Check Out Report will suggest actions and charges as per training guidelines and  it is up to the parties to come to an agreement about it. Should any of the parties have questions about the report, they are welcome to arrange a conversation and receive answers. Should the parties fail to reach an agreement, they have an option to open a dispute.
4. Check Out is not a ground for abusive behavior or pressuring. No matter what has been said during the Check Out , the report will contain and assess all that has been discovered against the Check In with regards to industry guidelines.

HOW PIXEL INVENTORY HANDLE CHECK OUTS?

We encourage Landlords and tenants to attend the Check Out in following manner:

1. The Landlord is welcome to arrive at the start of the inspection.We invite him/her to spend few minutes to look around and we answer questions about any areas of concern. We allocate here 10-15 min. We take a note of what has been appointed to us/ we advice the landlord on wear and tear.
2. We kindly request the landlord and the tenants to leave the property. We inform them how much time we will need to complete the inspection and we invite the tenant to return for the Check Out tour. We remind them that this will take up to 30 min.
3. We perform the inspection.
4. We welcome the tenants /occasionally also the landlord back at the property. We tour them through the property advising them about whats been noticed and what will be noted in the Report.

Ease up your Check Out by employing Pixel Inventory

Book now

Early this year the government has published

on their website a guide to renting which

you may find helpful. To access the document

please see below or alternatively visit www.gov.uk

How to rent