"All of the [Deposit] schemes are required to offer an ADR – Alternative Dispute Resolution. In the event of a dispute over the deposit which cannot be resolved by the parties, the matter is placed before an adjudicator.

The adjudicators will rely heavily on the inventory and schedule of condition, the check out report and the conditions placed on the landlord and tenant under the tenancy agreement" Association of Professional Inventory Providers: website 2008.

Smartlet can carry out the Check-out Inspection with or without the Tenants being present, as you desire. If we book this Inspection directly with the Tenants for you we will write to them confirming the appointment and giving general guidelines as to how the property should be left.

During the Check-out Inspection the Clerk will directly compare the condition of the property with that recorded on the Inventory and Check-in Report from an unbiased and independent viewpoint. All changes to the property will be noted and guidance given as to what would be considered fair wear and tear, what would be general maintenance for the Landlord's attention and what is above fair wear and tear (i.e. damage).

The Clerk will also compile a "Summary of Cleanliness" which condenses the cleanliness as found on the day of Check-out and is directly comparable to the matching summary compiled at Check-in.

Each area /room is individually photographed using dated digital photography. Additional photographs are taken where required of areas which may assist interpretation of the final report.

If the Tenant is present for the Check-out Inspection they are asked to give any relevant comments and these will be included on the report to assist with interpretation. The Tenants are asked to sign a declaration confirming they were present and informed of the Clerk's findings, also that their keys were handed over to the Smartlet Clerk.

The Check-out report will include:

• Meter readings, serial numbers, positions, and utility suppliers (If Tenants are present)
• Location/type and (where possible) testing of smoke detectors
• All keys returned by the Tenants (If Tenants are present)
• Tenants forwarding address details (If Tenants are present)

Using this information the Agent/Landlord can fairly assign any possible costs for works/cleaning required at the property.

The original copies of the Check-out Report including signed declaration are provided to the Agent/Landlord after Check-out, and an electronic copy of this document is uploaded to your online account within 24 hours, further copies of which may be printed by you at any time at no additional cost.