One of my clients has contacted me about the problem of tenants moving out, leaving the keys with a neighbour and then refusing to attend the checkout meeting.
Invariably the property is left in a mess and invariably they challenge any deductions to the tenancy deposit! As this is large(ish) property company with local management staff, they do not use external inventory clerks.
One thing which occurred to me was to arrange for someone independent to attend the checkout meeting in the tenant stead who could then verify the condition of the property at that time. For example a local surveyor or inventory clerk.
What do people think about this as a solution to the problem and do you think the clients would be justified in passing on the cost of this person?
“who could then verify the condition of the property at that time” the issue is they can not verify the property condition when the tenant moved in.
Defeating the purpose no?
These particular clients will have a signed inventory form from when the tenants moved in.
Granted however if there is no evidence of the condition at the time the tenancy starts, a witness at checkout will be of limited value.
We use independent inventory clerks to avoid this problem! On occasion, Tenants will drop their keys into an office and we have to arrange a visit pretty sharpish in order to avoid the common (but potentially valid) excuse… “we left the property 10 days before this took place”. We charge Check-in to the Landlord and Check-outs to the Tenant as this usually gives them more incentive to actually be present when it takes place!
I like Gem’s approach above my comment. Even though the agency may have it’s own staff it sounds as if it may be wise to start using an external inventory clerk instead for both check-in and check-out to avoid these continual problems.
Gem’s approach is sound. I find a digital camera and photos “before and after” can work wonders, but I have never had to use them in anger.