Does your Landlord have a BIG one or small one – Why size does matter
Photographs which are no larger than thumbnails creates problems when it comes to damage disagreement at the end of the tenancies
According to Pat Barber, of the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks, inappropriate and often inadequate sized photographs are regularly used in both the inventory check-in and check-out.
The practice leaves the owners subject to potentially costly litigation and time consuming disputes over wear and tear, with tenants winning their case if it goes to arbitration, because of the use of thumbnail undated pictures, where it is extremely difficult to see the details of the alleged damages
It is not just a small low-resolution photos, which cause problems.
Recently a case was lost, because the Landlord felt that all that was needed was to take a few photographs (sadly all undated) and provide no other written evidence as to the condition of the property at the commencement of the tenancy. Unfortunately the landlord had to finance some expensive replacements
Barber, president of CNA, said: “The inventory reports must contain a complete description of a building and its contents, with details of each bit of damage and its exact location at the beginning of the lease. This can be supported by photographs – but they must be of high quality printing up to A4 or A3, so that damage can be clearly seen, or supplied on a disc
“The photographs can not replace an accurate statement and properly detailed inventory . A landlord has no evidence to prove that the property has been damaged in any way during the tenancy if he / she must rely on the thumbnail images of poor quality, and therefore may find it almost impossible to retain any of the deposit from tenants. ”
Barber points out that the evidence presented to the arbitrators to resolve disputes with damage must include both “before” and “after” pictures, with a clear narrative of what the image is displayed, for example, colour, description of ‘ object, marks on the surface.
Photographs must include something to show the scale of the image, and should clearly show the condition of the property at the time.
Although the images are to be included in the inventory as a further mark of reference, they should be a decent size.
The photographs must be dated, most modern camera can be set to automatically do this
If the photographs to be printed, the printer needs to be good quality. Too often, inexpensive printers distort the colours. Even good quality printers distort the colours when they are starting to run out
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