Service / Pre-Tenancy Condition Reports

Stop deposit disputes before they start.

Establish a reliable, independent baseline before move-in. Protect your asset and ensure fair tenancy outcomes with a comprehensive Pre-Tenancy Condition Report, also known as a check-in condition report.

£120 + VAT for homes up to 3 bedrooms. Larger property? Contact us for a quote.

Independent inspector recording the condition of a rental property before a tenancy starts

Why you need this

Without an independent record, you have no proof.

At the end of a tenancy, deposit deduction claims are often rejected by dispute services such as the DPS or TDS because the landlord or agent lacks sufficient, objective evidence of the property's condition on the day the tenant moved in.

Self-made inventories or blurred photographs aren't enough to protect your investment from careless damage, unauthorised alterations, or fair wear and tear disputes.

How deposit disputes are decided

  • In England and Wales, a tenancy deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme: the Deposit Protection Service (DPS), mydeposits or the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS).
  • If a tenant disputes a deduction, the scheme's adjudicator starts from the position that the deposit belongs to the tenant. It is up to the landlord or agent to prove the deduction is justified.
  • The adjudicator compares the property's condition at the start and the end of the tenancy, and makes allowance for fair wear and tear. Without a clear record of the starting condition, there is nothing reliable to compare against.
Side-by-side comparison of the same bedroom carpet: clean at move-in, stained and worn at the end of the tenancy
Illustrative example: the same room at move-in and at check-out. Without the move-in record, there is no proof the damage is new.

What's included

The ultimate baseline for your property

The Property Auditor provides a robust, independent visual record of your property immediately before the keys are handed over. We capture the vital evidence needed to safeguard your asset.

Comprehensive photographic evidence

High-resolution, date- and time-stamped images of all rooms, fixtures and fittings.

Room-by-room breakdown

Detailed condition capture of walls, floors, ceilings, doors and provided appliances.

Independent and unbiased

As a third party, our reports hold more weight in formal deposit disputes than landlord-generated inventories.

Fast turnaround

Reports are delivered swiftly so they are ready for the tenant to sign on move-in day.

£120 + VAT (£144 inc. VAT) for homes up to 3 bedrooms

Book an Inspection

Sample report

See the detail for yourself

Want to know exactly what kind of protection you're getting? Request an example copy of our Pre-Tenancy Condition Report.

We will only use your details to respond to this request.

How it works

Simple process. Reliable evidence.

  1. 1. Book the visit

    Use our simple online booking system to schedule an inspection shortly before your tenant moves in.

  2. 2. We inspect

    Our independent auditor visits the property to carry out a thorough visual assessment, capturing detailed photographic evidence.

  3. 3. Receive your report

    You receive a comprehensive digital condition report, ready to attach to the tenancy agreement and be signed by the incoming tenant.

Areas we cover

Pre-tenancy condition reports across Oxfordshire, Gloucester, Cardiff and Somerset

Choose your area to see available dates and book online.

FAQ

Common questions about pre-tenancy reports

Do I really need a pre-tenancy report if the property is unfurnished?

Yes. A significant portion of deposit disputes relate to damage to walls, flooring, doors and cleanliness standards, regardless of furniture.

What is the difference between this and a standard inventory?

A standard inventory often just lists items. Our condition reports focus heavily on the quality, cleanliness and exact state of the property and its fixtures, backed by robust photographic evidence.

Can this report be used in a deposit dispute scheme?

Yes. Our independent, date-stamped reports are designed to provide the clear, unbiased evidence that deposit adjudication schemes such as TDS, DPS and mydeposits look for.

Do you need the tenant to be present?

No. We prefer to carry out the pre-tenancy report while the property is empty, ideally a day or two before the tenant moves in, to get an unobstructed view of its condition.

Who pays for a pre-tenancy condition report?

The landlord or letting agent. In England, the Tenant Fees Act 2019 prevents landlords and agents from charging tenants for a check-in report or inventory. Wales has equivalent rules under the Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Act 2019.

How much does a pre-tenancy condition report cost?

£120 + VAT (£144 including VAT) for any home up to 3 bedrooms. For larger properties, contact us for a quote.

Which areas do you cover?

We offer online booking for North Oxfordshire, South Oxfordshire, Gloucester, Cardiff and Somerset. If your property is elsewhere, you can still request a booking and we will confirm availability.

What happens at the end of the tenancy?

At check-out, the property's condition is compared against the pre-tenancy report. A post-tenancy condition report records the property at the end of the tenancy so any changes beyond fair wear and tear are clearly evidenced.

National Residential Property Standards Award plaque

The Property Auditor is an independent assessment organisation supporting the National Residential Property Standards Award (NRPSA).

Ready to protect your next tenancy?

Don't leave your property's condition to chance or memory. Secure an independent baseline today.