Letting agents and landlords are failing to carry out property inventory inspections for three in 10 tenancies, research warns.

Inventory Base surveyed almost 1,500 UK renters and found that 30% of tenants didn’t have an inventory performed before renting their current rental property and of this 30%, less than 9% arranged an inventory of their own.

For the 70% who did have an inventory conducted prior to their tenancy, just 23% said it was done on the day they moved into the property, 64% said it was done prior to their move in date, with a staggering 13% stating it was done sometime after keys were handed over.

Two thirds of tenants said the report was carried out by their letting agent, with landlords choosing to conduct it themselves in 26% of cases, whilst just 9% of inventories were done by a specialist, third party provider.

In 41% of cases, these inventories were conducted on a hand written basis, with 22% of tenants stating that those conducting the inventory failed to inventory the entire property.

What’s more, 31% of tenants weren’t even asked to sign the inventory once it was completed.

The inventory specialist warned that those who are completing reports could be leaving themselves susceptible to further headaches because of inadequate standards of the inspection conducted.

Siân Hemming-Metcalfe, operations director at Inventory Base, said: “Handling inventories can feel like a daunting, time-consuming task for landlords and letting agents, especially if you’re still using pen and paper. It’s no wonder some choose to skip them altogether. But here’s the reality: skipping or rushing through this process could cost you more in time, money, and stress in the long run.

“An inventory is more than just paperwork; it’s your first line of defence when things go wrong at the end of a tenancy. Without a detailed, signed document, disputes over damages or deposits can quickly spiral into a drawn-out, frustrating experience. Even small missteps, like not inspecting every room or forgetting to have the tenant sign the report, can provide grounds to dispute any damages done and monies owed, opening the door to protracted challenge.”

She acknowledged that hiring a professional inventory provider means an upfront cost, but added: “It’s a very small price to pay for peace of mind. By getting it right from the start, you’re protecting yourself from costly disputes. It’s an investment that safeguards your property, your time, and your financial well-being.”