The short answer
A useful inspection report records the date and who attended, the condition of each room with dated photos, whether the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms work, any signs of damp, mould or leaks, the outside of the property, and a short list of actions – each with who is responsible and what happens next.
What the report should cover
| Section | What it should show |
|---|---|
| The visit | The date, who attended and whether the tenant was there. |
| Room by room | The condition of walls, floors, windows, fittings and any furniture supplied, with dated photos. |
| Safety | Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms tested, and anything that could be a hazard. |
| Damp, mould and leaks | Where they are, how bad they look and the likely cause, such as a leak or poor ventilation. |
| Outside | Roof and gutters as far as can be seen from the ground, windows, doors, garden and bins. |
| The tenant's view | Anything the tenant has raised, so small problems are caught early. |
| Actions | Each item that needs attention, who is responsible and what happens next. |
A sample summary
This is the kind of one-page summary a landlord should be able to read in a minute. It is a sample, not a real property.