A professional inventory check-in report is the foundation of a well-protected tenancy. Prepared by AIIC-accredited clerks at the start of the let, it records the exact condition of the property — every room, fixture and fitting — with high-resolution photography and full meter readings, giving landlords and tenants an impartial, time-stamped benchmark to refer back to at the end of the tenancy.
What an inventory check-in report covers
Each report documents the property’s condition in full at the start of the tenancy: fixtures, fittings and furniture, described room by room with high-resolution photographs. It also records utility meter readings and smoke and carbon monoxide alarm tests, so the complete picture is on record from day one. For the end of a let, our inventory and check-out report compares directly against this baseline.
Accuracy that holds up to scrutiny
An inventory check-in report is only as useful as it is accurate. We ask landlords and tenants to review the report on receipt and flag anything that needs correcting, so the schedule of condition is agreed from the outset. A clear, impartial record at move-in is what prevents disputes over wear, damage and deposits when the tenancy ends. Between lets, a mid-term inspection keeps that record current.
Why an independent clerk matters
Our AIIC-accredited clerks produce detailed, unbiased reports that neither party can dismiss as one-sided. They are trained to record what an untrained eye misses — hairline cracks, the condition of window seals, appliance function — in precise, evidenced detail. Whether you manage a single buy-to-let or a portfolio that also needs compliance certificates, a professional check-in is one of the soundest decisions a landlord can make.
What it costs
Prices start at £125 inc VAT and are listed in full above by property size. Furnished properties are charged an additional £10, and extra rooms such as en-suite bathrooms or garages are £10 per room. Many clients add a professional floor plan for a complete property record. Most appointments take two to three hours depending on size, and the finished report is delivered within 72 hours.
What’s included in an inventory check-in report
Every inventory check-in report from Click Inventories captures the property’s exact condition at the start of a tenancy. Each inventory check-in report includes:
- Detailed schedule of condition for every room
- High-resolution photographic evidence
- All meter readings (gas, electric, water)
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm tests, carried out in line with the UK Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations
- Key handover documentation
Why the inventory check-in matters for London landlords
A professional inventory check-in protects the deposit and the landlord-tenant relationship. Without one, deposit dispute adjudicators routinely side with tenants because no impartial, time-stamped record exists to support deductions. The inventory check-in report is the foundational document that everything else — mid-term inspections, the check-out report, dispute submissions — refers back to.
Inventory check-in FAQs
How long does an inventory check-in take?
Most inventory check-ins take 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the property’s size, level of furnishing, and number of rooms. Studios and one-bedroom flats are typically completed within the hour; larger four- or five-bedroom homes may take up to two hours.
When should the inventory check-in be done?
The inventory check-in should be carried out on the day the tenant moves in, with both parties present where possible. This ensures the schedule of condition and meter readings are agreed at the exact start of the tenancy, leaving no room for dispute later.
For larger or furnished properties, our detailed condition report provides additional protection alongside your inventory check-in.
Click Inventories provides professional inventory check-in reports for landlords and agents across London. To complete your tenancy documentation, pair your check-in with an inventory and check-out report at the end of the let.
