Recording of the Propertymark webinar presented by Approved Industry Supplier Inventory Base. According to research by Citizens Advice (Feb 2023), 1.6 million children reside in damp, mouldy, or excessively cold private rentals. Shockingly, over half of England's private renters (2.7 million households) have had or are currently reporting and or ba…

Building a successful property reporting service can be both a professional and personal exploration. But how can you ensure that you have the essential strategies, strength, and ability to thrive in this challenging industry? Join Sián as she delves into the key factors that can help you build a thriving reporting service. Discover the significanc…

Hosted by Propertymark in March 2023, Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, Operations Director of Approved Propertymark Supplier Inventory Base explains how to use smart home data (think temperature sensors, safety alarms, home security and more) to gain a deeper understanding of your property portfolio and make data-driven decisions that increase your bottom li…

In this episode of The Inventory Professional podcast; Sián talks with Angelique Matthews, an inventory specialist in South Africa who ran her own business for over 10 years before making the shift from practitioner to proptech expert. Sián asks Angelique what the response has been like since the law changed last year (2022) making property invento…

From the 23 January 2023, new regulations make it a legal requirement for responsible persons for all multi-occupied residential buildings in England with storeys over 11 metres in height to: - undertake quarterly checks of all fire doors (including self-closing devices) in the common parts - undertake – on a best endeavour basis – annual checks of…

The unprecedented demand for property, largely fuelled by a buoyant sales market, has impacted stock levels especially as increased legislation forces some landlords to reevaluate their role. Sián highlights the pressure these changes are exerting on the inventory supplier market, the imminent introduction of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act and how t…

The podcast is a recording of the webinar hosted by David Mintz of Kerfuffle with Sián from Inventory Base and James Kent from Safe 2 - The Leading Provider of Property Safety Certificates. In this recording, the panel discuss: Why should landlords invest in regular boiler maintenance? (safety) Can servicing your boiler help save money when it come…

Although there is no actual data on missed appointments or cancelled reports for the supplier industry, it is a well known issue and a more than regular occurrence for some providers that has a real impact on their 'bottom line'. Listen in as Sián highlights some of the reasons behind those missed appointments, the costs to the industry and why com…

David asks - Why should you vote for Sián and what vision does she have for Propertymark's future? Where does she stand on the key issues effecting our industry and how is she going to help you? Supplier and agents - are we united as one, or is there a divide? Listen in and find out what Siȃn hopes to achieve for the supplier industry, her strong v…

In this episode Sián and Melissa explore why complaints are made and what constitutes a low, medium or high level complaint. Sloping shoulders is a term often associated with business practices however there is a growing feeling that agents and landlords are attempting to deflect responsibility when in fact most complaints could be easily resolved …

If you have established yourself as a property inventory clerk you’ll be well aware of the very specific skills and abilities the job demands. If you’re at the start of your career you’ll learn about them very quickly as you develop your service. A successful inventory clerk balances very strong interpersonal skills with a highly organised approach…

In this episode, our webinar panellists discuss 3 key subjects affecting the property industry: Sustainability in the lettings sector - impacts and options Effects of the levelling up white paper - the repeal of Section 21 and what that means for the service industry Contracts and SLA’s - are they a realistic option or do clerks just need to act li…

In this podcast John and Sián discuss three key topics: Being a mentor for the real estate industry - what attracted John to that particular role RoPA - Regulation of Property Agents - how it can improve the property industry The role inventory professionals play in supporting the industry John talks about his mentoring, how people buy from people …

Sián and Zoe discuss how service and acting as an extension of an agents brand plays a huge role in supporting clients, keeping landlords engaged and more importantly, happy! We also talk about the need for transparency and honesty; we may get things wrong but it is how we manage our mistakes that can make all the difference to your service deliver…

In this episode we discuss the volume of student property reports carried out each year and whether there is a need to have a conversation with agents about the quick turnaround of properties which can mean a lack of detail in the inventory / check out report or employing less than robust reporting methods 'just to get the job done and turned aroun…

Virtual property viewings are the inevitable technological next step in securing a rental in today's modern, fast paced market but how effective are they in enabling potential tenants to assess the properties they are considering making their home? How does the mechanism work, what are its advantages and disadvantages, and how can a renter get the …

In this episode Sián is joined by James Kent; managing director of Safe2Ltd - The Leading Provider of Property Safety Certificates. James talks about how Safe2 has managed the logistics of getting rental properties up to standard and the barriers electrical engineers have faced when attempting to enter the property and carry out EICR’s. We discuss …

Join Sián as she discusses pets in rental properties with special guest Natasha Homer-Earley from PetsScore; UK's soon-to-launch first national pet referencing system. In this episode of The Inventory Professional; we look at the issues surrounding landlords reluctance to have pets in the rental home and how capturing data, specifications of the pr…

In this episode of The Inventory Professional; we look at the different options to capture tenant feedback and what to do with it! Sián explains that tenants that take the time to comment are likely to be more involved in the tenancy process and is a way of engaging with clients and giving tenants a much needed 'voice'. The hosts try and drill down…

Sián explains the need for inventory professionals to look at the 4 step plan and why aligning a review of current operating protocols with each step will be key to ensuring that agents, landlords and tenants are kept up to date. Melissa recognises the need for clerks to feel safe during the transition and ensuring that communication is kept open s…

Winner! Melissa is slightly embarrassed but we think it's great to see a professional inventory provider recognised for her hard work so well done! We discuss the deadline of April 2021 for EICR's to be completed on all (residential) rental properties (new tenancies have be in force since 2020). Sián touches on the need to keep lines of communicati…

Join Sián and Melissa; MGN Inventories as they catch up on what has been a very busy and exciting past few weeks where InventoryBase announced integrations with 2 key integration partners: Drone Safe Register - Drones are fast becoming the next must-have tool for all types of property reports and are the ideal partner for surveyors carrying out ext…

In our podcast, Mark explains his journey from car salesman and drone hobbyist to becoming a qualified and certified Drone pilot and launching Drone Safe Register with a network covering the entire UK. Sián asks if drones are fast becoming the 'go to' option for surveyors and contractors especially with maintenance now such a key driver in the indu…

Keys are a vital component of property management, as, well let's face it, you can't (usually) get into the property without them! Join Sián as she talks with Tim and Philip from Keyzapp about whether there is a better way to ease our ongoing pain both as suppliers, contractors and agents. We discuss the solutions that are available and why the ind…

In this podcast John shares his insights and experience gained over 30 years of working in the building industry. He explains how his management of disillusioned customers and dealing with build issues led him to start his company that specifically deals with snagging reports. Sián asks what the differences are between an inventory and snagging rep…

In this episode we catch up over the last few months - what's happened and what is coming next! Melissa and I talk about potential increases in fuel bills and what action can be taken from a management angle with regards to interim inspections and beyond. Maintenance is going to be key to extended tenancies as some tenants are not letting agents / …

Sián and Melissa discuss the 5 key considerations when looking for and recruiting great clerks: Recruitment - Do you know what you want from the candidate in terns of skill, knowledge and experience? The Role - Are your expectations of a quality clerk realistic? CV's - Are they useful or do they only tell half the story? The Interview - Are online …

Lead by co-host Kristjan; Co-Founder at base property specialists & The Depositary, we talk about the inventory process, the technical elements that make up a good tenancy and why they are so important The live session was recorded on Facebook; you can see and hear the full video here: For details about how the lettings industry can engage and supp…

We discuss Ome’s approach to offering an alternative monthly subscription for the deposit and their new helpline that supports tenants including their mental health which is proving vital during the pandemic and is open to any tenant who downloads their app regardless of membership. With the average deposit currently around £1,299 (without all the …

In support of the NSPCC; InventoryBase Academy has launched the InventoryBase Academy NSPCC Safeguarding Awareness Course. Aimed at all property professionals; the course revolves around the information and guidance of the NSPCC in how to spot emerging safeguarding concerns, including potential neglect or abuse in the home. With guest host Saira Ba…

Sián looks at how Zoom can add value for inventory clerks looking to increase service options during the lockdown; Anthony explains how his inventory experience has helped him forge a new role in property management and both discuss the benefits of good communication and how quality reports will help letting agents in Northern / Ireland. Do you hav…

Sián explains how tenant pre tenant check out notes can help support the adjudication process should there be a deposit dispute, Melissa asks if interim property inspections should be completed by the tenant during the pandemic and they both agree that the internet is extremely busy!! Do you have a topic you want to talk about? Email sian@inventory…

David discusses why 'customer success' is key in getting the basics right. How the UK and SA mirror and differ in how our housing sectors are relegated. And Sián and David both recognise the importance in providing support during these turbulent times and that there is light at the end. Do you have a topic you want to talk about? Email sian@invento…

With guest Ewan Dixon from Cherry Tree inventories; we mull over the most recent government measures to combat the pandemic and the immediate impact they have had on inventory providers. We also look at how to manage the pressure of saying no to clients; how to keep motivated and focused on our health and mental well-being and most importantly; sta…

We are in unchartered waters and the virus and impact on inventory clerks and the supplier industry has the potential to be far reaching. But rather than just regurgitate the day news stories and infections totals from across the globe; Sián and Melissa are looking at what positive steps inventory clerks can take to manage the impact on their busin…

Do you have a topic you want to talk about? Email sian@inventorybase.com #stayathome #protecttheNHS #savelives NHS - 111.nhs.uk/covid-19 www.gov.uk - www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response InventoryBase - inventorybase.co.uk/blog/corona-virus-covid-19-advice-and-guidance-for-property-professionals/ Inventor…

Siân describes finding dog hair in the oven; Melissa recounts her move into inventory reports and they both talk about why the inventory profession is one to be proud of. Do you have a topic you want to talk about? Email sian@inventorybase.com #stayathome #protecttheNHS #savelives NHS - 111.nhs.uk/covid-19 www.gov.uk - www.gov.uk/government/topical…