How can property inspections help avoid deposit disputes?

At the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, we know how essential regular inspections are in safeguarding properties, preventing disputes, and ensuring compliance with tenancy agreements. Here, we share practical advice for landlords to carry out effective property inspections as part of their spring preparations, answer Q&As, and reveal how inspections can help to avoid deposit disputes later down the line.

Property inspections are more than just a maintenance task—they're an essential part of managing a rental property. Conducting inspections, especially around this time of year heading into spring, allows landlords to:

• Identify and address minor issues before they escalate into costly repairs.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations, such as checking smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
• Protect against disputes over deposit deductions at the end of the tenancy, by documenting the property’s condition.

Inspections should ideally be conducted on a quarterly or semi-annual basis to strike the right balance between proactive property management and respecting tenants’ privacy. Regular checks help landlords catch small issues like leaks or damp before they escalate, ensure tenants understand their responsibilities and maintain the property’s overall condition.

 However, landlords must always provide at least 24 hours’ written notice, as required by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, and ensure inspections are reasonable and non-intrusive to respect tenants’ right to quiet enjoyment of the property.

Yes, it’s a good idea to outline inspection frequency and processes in the tenancy agreement. This ensures both parties know what to expect and helps prevent disputes over access.

While tenants have the right to quiet enjoyment of the property, you can request access for legitimate reasons, such as inspections or repairs. If a tenant consistently refuses, TDS recommends our in-tenancy resolution service, the Tenancy Redress Service. The Tenancy Redress Service is a free service that aims to facilitate the resolution of complaints between tenants and their landlords. The TRS can help with in-tenancy issue such as entry rights, find out more about the service here.

While inspections monitor ongoing conditions, inventories provide a baseline record, crucial for resolving disputes. If you did not have an inventory at the beginning of the tenancy, it will be harder to prove if there is any damage, missing items, or excessive wear and tear. A detailed, professionally prepared inventory, supported by photographs and signed by both parties, serves as key evidence in deposit disputes. Without it, any claims for deductions from the deposit may be difficult to justify.

Yes, you can create an inventory after a tenancy has started, but it’s not ideal. Inventories are best completed at the start of the tenancy, signed by both parties, to provide an agreed record of the property’s condition. If done mid-tenancy, ensure the tenant reviews and signs it to confirm the current condition, though issues from before may be harder to attribute. While helpful, a late inventory carries less weight in disputes, so it’s always better to prepare one before the tenancy begins.

For a detailed guide on  property inspections, including legal requirements and best practices, check our free guide, in partnership with the NRLA here.

Use the following checklist to make your spring inspection thorough and efficient:

1. Check for winter damage

The winter months can take a toll on properties. Look out for:

• Roof and gutters: Check for loose tiles, leaks, or blockages in the gutters that may have occurred due to storms or heavy rainfall.
• Damp and mould: Inspect for signs of damp or mould, particularly in areas with poor ventilation. Addressing these issues early prevents tenant complaints and potential health risks.

2. Inspect outdoor areas

Outdoor spaces are key selling points for rental properties, particularly in spring and summer.

• Ensure fencing, gates, and garden features are secure and in good condition.
• Tidy up debris and overgrowth from the winter months.
• Clarify garden maintenance responsibilities with tenants to prevent misunderstandings during the tenancy.

3. Review fixtures and appliances

Inside the property, test all fixtures and appliances for functionality, including:

• Heating systems, ensuring they’re ready for any lingering cold spells.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, which are legal requirements for all rental properties.
• Plumbing for any leaks or blockages, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens.

Property inspections are a powerful tool for avoiding deposit disputes by creating a clear record of the property’s condition throughout the tenancy. Regular inspections allow landlords to spot potential issues early—such as damage, cleanliness, or maintenance concerns—and address them promptly with tenants, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings later. To strengthen this process, landlords should document inspections with detailed notes and photographs, which can serve as key evidence if disputes arise.

To further avoid disputes, it’s essential to start with a thorough, signed inventory at the beginning of the tenancy. This provides an agreed baseline for the property’s condition, against which any end-of-tenancy changes can be assessed. Clear communication with tenants during inspections about their responsibilities like maintaining the garden or reporting repairs, also helps prevent disputes from escalating.

Finally, using a government-authorised tenancy deposit scheme like TDS, ensures the deposit is protected and provides access to fair dispute resolution services if needed.

Visit our TDS Help Centre to find more guides, tools and templates, all designed to make the life of a landlord easier.  

Some of our resources are only available to landlords who use the free deposit protection scheme at TDS Custodial or the insured scheme at TDS Insured. You can access all templates, tools and the full tenancy deposit management dashboard by joining the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.