Partnering with the Charter to support landlords with inventories
- Mitch Handley
- May 26
- 2 min read
Becoming a Friend of the Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter, from Inventory Hive’s perspective, is about having the opportunity to support landlords as they work towards Charter Membership. In practice, this means sharing our expertise on starting and ending tenancies well.
Last week, we had the chance to do just that, through a webinar focused on ‘The top ten inventory mistakes, and how to avoid them.’ This was hosted by Claire Vibert, the Charter’s Network and Learning Manager, who set out the purpose of the session for participants. This was to support them in achieving the Charter criteria that expects landlords to have ‘Clear start and end of tenancy processes’, which includes clear and fair processes for inventories.
I was more than happy to present to landlords, focusing on the importance of clear communication from the start of their relationship with their tenant. So, what are those top ten mistakes landlords should avoid?
Lacking visual evidence – use dated and timed photos, but make sure they’re accompanied with detailed annotations.
How clean is clean? This is very subjective, so be specific about cleanliness in each part of the property.
Forgetting the tenant. Encourage active participation from the tenant, so it becomes a collaborative effort.
Missing details. Be absolutely meticulous, as you won’t be able to settle a dispute if the issue wasn’t logged on check in.
Focusing on inside only. Pay just as much attention to gardens, patios, sheds and garages, and note the time of year.
Only including what can be seen. Consider odours, surface stickiness or noise from appliances.
Capture the keys. This is a small detail that can be missed on a hectic moving day.
Missing meter readings. This is absolutely essential for clarity around energy bills.
Lighting and appliances. Think about how well lighting and appliances you have supplied are working.
Outdated inventory. Schedule periodic inspections and update the inventory so it’s still relevant at check-out.
If you avoid these ten mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to a smooth relationship with your tenant.
Having the opportunity to partner with the Good Landlord Charter means Inventory Hive has supported landlords in Greater Manchester, and I’d encourage other Friends of the Charter to get in touch with Claire with their ideas on how you might do the same!
