By
Halls Life
Posted 10 months ago
Fri 01 Aug, 2025 12:08 PM
🛏️ What is an inventory?
An inventory is used by tenants to record the state of the room and kitchen they are renting at the start of their tenancy. This ensures existing damage is noted and the landlord (UAL or your hall provider) will not be able to charge you for any damage in the room which was there before you arrived. This is a standard procedure in all rented accommodation in the UK, and it is your responsibility as part of your contract to make sure you have completed it.
🤔 Why should I fill out my inventory?
We get it — you've just moved into your new room and you're ready to start your exciting new life in London. The last thing you want to do is check for marks on walls and carpet stains. But skipping your inventory, or rushing through it, could leave you hundreds of pounds out of pocket for damages you didn't cause.
✍️ How do I complete it?
You will be provided with details when you move into your new hall of how the inventory should be completed, in most halls, this is submitted online, but in some of our halls we provide a paper form. You should return your completed inventory within 48 hours after you move in.
⭐ Tips from our Residence Managers
Our Residence Managers have dealt with a lot of damage charge disputes. Here's how to avoid receiving a charge due to not completing your inventory properly:
- Always complete your inventory — if you do not complete an inventory, it will be very hard for you to dispute a charge as there is no record that the damage was there before you arrived
- Read your Tenancy Agreement and hall handbook so that you know what the damage charges are for your hall
- When you first move in, take photos or — better still — a short video of any damage you spot, making sure to include your door number so it's clearly identifiable as your room. Don't dismiss anything as too minor to record; the more evidence you have, the easier it is for the halls team to see exactly what the room looked like when you arrived.
- Don't put things on the wall. Get creative and use the pin board available to pin any pictures or artwork you would like to display in your room, you could also bring a free-standing pin board if you want to add more items.
💵 The most common charges
Rubbish left behind
Always leave your room empty, if there is anything that needs to be disposed of or recycled you will be charged.
Marks on the walls
This includes marks from blue/white tac no matter how small. The whole wall will have to be painted as we cannot leave a wall patchy for the next tenant and you will be charged for the full wall paint.
🛠️ What happens if there's damage to my room at the end of my tenancy?
- You will receive an email to tell you what damage charges you have incurred.
- You are not allowed to carry out DIY in your room, as stated in the tenancy. Our team on site are best placed to complete any repairs or painting work and this ensures that there is a good standard of work completed.
- If you try to fix an issue and create further damage, the charge will increase, so please always let us take care of it.
👉 Still have questions?
If you are still unsure how to complete the inventory, do not worry. You can always speak to a member of your halls team once you arrive.
