With a quarter of households in the UK set to rent privately by 2021, the workload for lettings agents is constantly increasing. For some, outsourcing is a great way to make sure they provide a consistently high service in every area of the letting process, both for tenants and for landlords. A common service that agents choose to outsource is property inventories.
But opinions on outsourcing are certainly split, with many agents still using in-house staff to carry out reports. So how do you know if it’s right for you? Here are a few reasons why you might consider outsourcing your property inventories.
Save time
Property inventories can be a time-consuming and complicated process, particularly when a dispute arises. Outsourcing can free up time for staff that can be better utilised elsewhere. Letting agents could spend that time setting up viewings, meeting new landlords, or any other activity that directly impacts your bottom line.
Consider as well the strengths and skills of your lettings agents. If members of your team are great with people but find admin tedious, then outsourcing will give them more time to focus on what they enjoy doing and what they are good at, making for a happier work environment.
High quality reports
Inventory clerks are specially trained for the job, meaning that reports will always be clear and thorough. Not only that, but they will have experience dealing with any disputes or other irregularities that in-house staff may not have the knowledge to handle effectively.
Make sure that any property inventory companies you are considering use a specialist software for the job. The most modern inventory software has a wide range of features that streamline the whole process and ensure that reports are always clear and easy to read.
Consistent quality
All the clerks from any given company will have received the same training, so not only will your reports be of a high quality, they will also be consistent.
Consistency is vital not only when it comes to maintaining your business’s reputation but also for making the lettings workflow as easy and seamless as possible. This also ties in with the company’s software, which guarantees you will get your reports in the same layout and style every time.
Avoid bias
When carried out by a third party, property inventories stand up against any claims of bias. This also means that, if needed, they will stand up in a court of law. While this is hopefully something you’ll ever encounter, outsourcing will give you the peace of mind that you will be well-prepared should any issues arise.
Outsourcing property inventories can also make it easier when applying to the tenancy deposit protection scheme to make a deduction. Unlike reports carried out by landlords or agents, there is no question that any completed reports are 100% impartial.
Conclusion
Outsourcing can be a great way to save time and hassle throughout the lettings process. While there is a cost involved, high-quality inventories can save you money in the long run by minimising disputes and also allowing staff to spend time on other high-value tasks.
At CJ Property Marketing, our experienced inventory clerks use the latest software to provide thorough and detailed check-in, check-out and interim reports. For more information on our property inventory service, click here or give us a call on 0800 773 48 28.
