Drawing up an inventory of fixtures : why do it before a rental?

When a tenant moves into a property, the inventory of fixtures is essential to ensure that the tenancy runs correctly.

Many people underestimate the importance of the realization of an inventory of fixtures of entry, but this document makes it possible to defend at the same time the interests of the owners and the tenants.

What is an inventory ?

The inventory is an essential step when renting your property. It can be defined as a cartography of the state of a dwelling at the entry and the exit of the tenant.

The realization of this document must be done in two steps and at two distinct times: the inventory of fixtures of entry which is carried out the first day of the lease, with the entry in the places of the tenant, and the inventory of fixtures of exit which is carried out the last day of the lease, with the exit of the tenant.

The inventory of fixtures is compulsory and allows to define the obligations of both parties: the tenant and the owner.

Guarantee for the tenant to have a conforming dwelling :

The entry inventory of fixtures allows the tenant to ensure that he/she receives a conforming accommodation. Indeed, during the inventory of fixtures, the general condition of the property will be inspected and any renovation work that should be carried out by the owner will be notified in the inventory document.

Guarantee for the owner to recover a dwelling in good condition :

For the owner, the inventory of fixtures at the beginning of the lease is the insurance to get back a housing in good condition at the end of the lease. Indeed, this document will allow the owner to compare the state of his housing at the entry and at the exit of the tenant. He will be able to realize the evolution of the state of his accommodation. For example, if a piece of furniture is missing or if the accommodation is in bad condition, the owner will be able to claim a financial compensation from the tenant who will be obliged to pay it.

A comparative inventory at the beginning and end of the lease:

The inventory of entry thus makes it possible to defend at the same time the interests of the tenant and the owner. The documents must be similar so as not to create conflict between the parties.The comparison between the two documents will allow, on one hand to the tenant to recover his deposit, on the other hand to the owner to retain a part or the totality of the deposit to the tenant if the inventory entry is not in conformity with the inventory of fixtures of exit.

Our BARNES Mauritius teams, experts in the field of property management, can inform you and accompany you in the rental of your property and the realization of the inventory of entry and exit. Our experts advise you to have this document done by real estate professionals in order to avoid any dispute between the parties.