A deposit and a condition inventory serve different purposes. The deposit is money held under the arrangement that applies to your tenancy; the inventory records what was supplied and its condition. A useful record is specific, dated and checked by you rather than accepted without reading.
At move-in
Walk through every room and compare the written inventory with the property. Photograph existing marks, missing items and meter displays, including a wider view so each detail can be located. Report corrections through the agreed process promptly and keep a copy of what you sent.
During the tenancy
- Keep repair reports, responses and relevant photographs.
- Record agreed changes to furniture or fittings.
- Preserve rent, deposit and protection information securely.
- Avoid mixing private documents into photographs intended for sharing.
At move-out
Use the original record as a comparison, empty the property as agreed and record condition again. Note keys returned and the date of handover. If deductions are proposed, separate the landlord's proposal, your response and any amount actually agreed. Evidence should support a factual account rather than an automatic conclusion.
The rules and schemes differ by nation and agreement type. Use England deposit protection guidance, Scotland's deposit information, Welsh tenant FAQs or Northern Ireland tenant guidance.
The handover tool helps organise notes and entered amounts. It does not lodge a dispute, establish legal entitlement or replace original evidence. Keep your own copies of photographs and documents in a secure place you can access after leaving the property.
Put it into practice
Use the tenancy handover and deposit record to organise your own figures or next steps. Keep its assumptions alongside your plan.