Inside a Professional Inventory Report: What Landlords in London Should Expect

If you’re letting out a property in London, a quality inventory report isn’t a luxury: it’s a necessity. 

From protecting deposits to resolving disputes, the inventory underpins your entire tenancy agreement. Yet many landlords still accept substandard reports that fail to protect them when things go wrong. 

If you’re hunting for the best property inventory companies in London, you need to know exactly what goes into a professional, watertight inventory.

Here’s what you should expect, and why you should never compromise. 

1. A Comprehensive List of Items 

A professional inventory doesn’t just list a ‘sofa’ or a ‘wardrobe’ in a vague way. It should provide a thorough description of each item, including:

• Make and model (if applicable)

• Material and construction

• Colour and finish

• Condition at the start of tenancy

• Quantity, where relevant (for example, how many dining chairs)

This level of detail makes it far easier to resolve any disagreement if items go missing, are swapped or are damaged beyond reasonable wear and tear. It also stops tenants claiming something was already faulty when it wasn’t.

2. High-Quality Photographic Evidence

Photographs can make or break a dispute over a deposit. The best property inventory companies in London, including Attic Inventory, include high-resolution, date-stamped photographs to support their written inventory.

Expect images to be well-lit, clear and organised in a logical way so that there’s no confusion over which photo relates to which item or room. Photos need to act as an objective record that can be used in any tenancy tribunal or court hearing if needed.

3. Check-In and Check-Out Reports Are Linked

A truly professional inventory company will tie your check-in and check-out processes together in a seamless way. That means:

• A baseline inventory at check-in

• A follow-up comparison at check-out

• A clear record of any changes, damage or missing items

Some landlords still get caught out by using separate providers for check-in and check-out. However, this causes inconsistencies and gaps. A single document reporting system ensures one complete chain of evidence, which is much stronger if a dispute arises.

4. A Clear Grading of the Condition of an Item

Not everything in your property will be brand new. That’s fine, as long as the report records its condition in an honest way. The best inventories use consistent grading language (e.g. “excellent,” “good,” “fair,” “poor”) alongside descriptive notes, so there’s no guesswork later.

For example:

‘Double mattress: good condition, no stains, slight pilling to cover’. 

That is far better than a vague line like ‘double mattress present’. 

5.  A Legally Compliant Report

A sloppy inventory report could end up being rejected in a dispute. A professional report should be laid out in a format that’s logical, consistent, and easy for adjudicators or solicitors to follow. 

6. Fast Turnaround

Speed matters. If you have a tenant move in on a Monday, you can’t wait until the following week for the paperwork. A proper inventory service should deliver reports within 48 hours. This allows you to address any urgent maintenance issues straight away and provide the tenant with a copy promptly, which is crucial for fairness and transparency.

At Attic Inventory, reports are guaranteed within 48 hours, giving landlords peace of mind and zero downtime.

7. No Hidden Costs

Professional companies are upfront about their pricing; they don’t sneak in cancellation fees. If you need to reschedule or change dates because a tenant delays, you shouldn’t be penalised. 

Check that your chosen inventory company is transparent about their fees and policies, including any short-notice bookings.

8. Insurance and Accreditation

In London, any inventory company should hold adequate professional indemnity and public liability insurance. That protects both you and your tenant in case of a serious error or unexpected problem.

Look for accreditations, too: membership of professional bodies shows a company takes its standards seriously.

9. Digital and Online Management

Paper reports are rapidly becoming less popular. A modern professional inventory will be delivered digitally and stored in a secure online system, allowing you to access it anytime, from anywhere.

10. Friendly, Knowledgeable Inspectors

Last but not least, the people behind the clipboard matter. Professional inventory clerks should be polite, punctual, and willing to answer questions from tenants or landlords alike.

An experienced inspector will spot potential issues you might have missed, like damp or hidden damage, which helps you act quickly before they become expensive problems.

Why It Matters

When you’re putting a property worth hundreds of thousands of pounds into someone else’s hands, a reliable inventory is crucial. With a professional service like Attic Inventory, you get:

• A detailed itemisation supported by photos

• Fast 48-hour turnaround

• 15+ years of experience in the London lettings market

• A flexible, fair pricing structure with no cancellation fees

• An online portal to manage and store your reports

• Inspectors who know exactly what to look for

In other words, you get a bulletproof record of your property’s condition that will stand up in any tenancy dispute.

For more about our property inventories in London, simply contact us today.