NLA: Log it or lose

Landlords who do not take proper inventories are risking their money, the National Landlords Association (NLA) has warned.

Some landlords are left with damage or cleaning costs or face having to replace furniture and fittings by not taking the proper precautions, the association claimed.

This could result in a drain on finances, which the NLA said is the "last thing" landlords need when they are facing rental arrears and void periods.

The association is launching a new inventory service offering a "simple" way for landlords to ensure their properties and contents are covered.

NLA chairman David Salusbury said: "Put simply, inventories are not an optional extra. They are just as important as getting your tenant to sign their AST, or protecting their deposit.

"If you want to avoid having to pay for your tenants even after they've moved out, taking an inventory will help."

He also urged landlords to consider proper check out reports at the end of a tenancy saying it was a sensible way to note any changes in the condition of the property.

Get a landlords contents insurance quote today from Simple Landlords Insurance.