Inventory list

How to record an item so it can be identified

For furniture, note the type, number of pieces, location and any visible wear. For more expensive appliances, add the brand, model and, where useful, the serial number. Photograph the whole item and any defect. Don’t forget remote controls, accessories and manuals if you’re handing them over.

For example, “washing machine, working” won’t distinguish between two similar appliances. A more precise entry would state the model, where it is installed, the accessories handed over and, say, a crack in the plastic cover. Also note whether and how you checked that it worked at handover.

What to do if something is replaced during the tenancy

Replacing a broken fridge mid-tenancy? Add the date, the new item and what happened to the original. Also agree who the replacement belongs to. A coffee machine the tenant bought themselves doesn’t belong on the inventory of your furnishings.

File every addendum with the original inventory and send it to the other party. A record of changes carries more weight than a list rewritten after the fact once a dispute arises.

What if an item is missing or damaged

A missing or damaged item may give rise to a claim for compensation, but it depends on the specific circumstances. Don’t confuse ordinary wear and tear with damage. The amount payable isn’t determined by the original purchase price. It is governed by § 2969 of the Civil Code: the usual price of the item at the time of the damage and the costs reasonably incurred to restore its function.