Glasgow University Students Representative Council

1. They’re important! Although buying fairy lights, planning flat warmings and starting film nights might seem like priorities when moving into new digs, making an inventory should be right up with these things, too. Don’t worry if you didn’t know that, though. The writer of this blog, a final year student, was only recently informed about what an inventory actually was – d’oh/
2. They’re not too complicated. Inventories simply list the contents of the property you’re renting and what condition you have found them in at the beginning of your tenancy. You should make one as soon as you move in, if your landlord does not already provide one. All you need to do is have a thorough browse through your flat once you’re moved in, checking for anything that needs repairs and adding anything not already included to your inventory. Taking photographic evidence should strengthen your case
3. It’s best to create one as soon as possible. As a tenant, it is in your best interest to create an inventory as fully and quickly as possible. If any items or décor in the property are already damaged, or in need of repair, the inventory will prove that you can’t be held responsible.
4. Creating an inventory is completely free. Landlords/letting agents are not allowed to charge you for drawing up an inventory, nor for checking it at the end of your lease. So you don’t need to worry about spending any money, keeping your valuable pennies free for other important things – fairy lights and flat warmings, for instance…
5. In fact, creating an inventory could ultimately save you money. This is because it’ll decrease the chances of a dispute with your landlord at the end of your lease, which increases the chance of getting your full deposit back.

Still confused? Check out the handy 101 the SRC’s Advice Team have drawn up.

Making an Inventory (and why it’s important)