UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi there
Myself and my partner moved into a property in Scotland on the 1st of August. We received an 'inventory' yesterday (29/08/2016) from the rental agency that we are extremely unhappy with. It is dated the 1st August. There are zero photos included in it. It gives no mention whatsoever to any of the numerous issues throughout the property, such as the major mould problem, broken items, the filth throughout etc. It also has two very blatant mistakes on it, saying the two bedroom carpets had been professionally cleaned before our tenancy began. We have photographic evidence to prove otherwise. Both carpets were disgusting, particularity the main bedroom carpet, which even a passing glance could determine that it had never even been hoovered, let alone professionally cleaned. It took us about 4 hours to get it anywhere near clean.
They want us to sign it and give it back to them. By signing it however, we feel like we'd be accepting the mistakes on the inventory, and setting ourselves up for more incompetence from the rental agency.
I would love some advice on what action would be best on our part. We don't want to sign it until it's been done properly. Would it be acceptable to do our own inventory, with photos, including the ones we have of the issues, such as the carpet, and others.
Any advice would very greatly be appreciated. We have come from England so we are unsure of our rights in Scotland.
Thanks very much. Look forward to hearing from someone.
Bethany

Refusing to sign it seems your strongest card to play.

An unsigned Inventory is not really worth anything... especially if you also get it recorded that you fundamentally disagree with its contents. Take your own photos. However, it would've been best if you'd done that before expending time and resources in cleaning some aspects. The definition of clean and dirty are subjective and there is always something worse and better than what you have seen... which makes the dirtiest carpet you've ever seen look very clean by direct comparison.

There is no objective scale of cleanliness.

If there is anything "professionally cleaned" the landlord / letting agent should have receipts for paying the service.

Don't sign it, send them the photos and negotiate. It too late to do another inventory, but at least you can make some amendments to this one.

If the Landlord is employed as a Cleaner, and did the cleaning themselves, but did not pay themselves or provide a receipt... was it still professionally cleaned?

Conundrum of the day.

As it is done through an agency, rather than a landlord directly, they have no reason to provide an inaccurate inventory. I would get onto them and have them come round and re-do it with pictures, but also as back up provide your own (it would have been better if you had done it on the day you moved in and emailed it to them and yourselves for proof of dates - a thought for the future). It does sound as though something unfair is going on here. I hope you get it sorted.