Question

Inventory Schedule of Condition (England)

Purchased Property With Tenants – Can I rely on original inventory

24 May 2016 | 1 comment

Hi all

Like some advice.

We recently purchased an apartment with tenants already living in there.
Their AST rolled forward.
The Tenants are now moving out.
They had signed an inventory when they moved in with the previous landlord.

My question is in the context of inventory being signed with previous landlord and us purchasing the property with existing AST rolling forward, are we legally allowed to use the inventory they signed with the previous landlord when deciding deductions from the deposit for damage and missing items.

The Inventory only lists items in the property and not the condition. Can we deduct for the following items?
– The bathroom sink is cracked and clearly damage and not wear and tear. However they swear it was like that when they moved in.
– The carpet has stains. I witnessed them do many of the stains while i was in the property. Rubbing fruit into carpet with no attempt to clean up.

Also the inventory listed a double bed and materess.
The bed and mattress in the property are king size, and I believe them when they say they purchased it themselves. However they signed an inventory agreeing there was a double bed and mattress in the property. Can i enforce the Inventory signed with the previous landlord and deduct for replacement double bed and mattress?

Thanks for your help.

Answer

1 Comment

  1. guildy

    There’s no reason why you can’t use the previous inventory as evidence for any deductions you may make.

    When you purchased the property you purchased everything including the furniture, AST and inventory etc.

    However, proving some of the items might be difficult without a statement from the previous landlord.

    For example, they may have removed the landlords bed with the landlords consent and knowledge, in which case it might be difficult to claim for the bed. It all depends on the circumstances.

    That being said, you can rely upon the inventory as it’s for the benefit of you now that you have purchased.

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