360 Camera for inventory clerks: Gimmick or game-changer?

As technology advances, so do most industries. The property industry is no different. Estate agents are regularly making videos of properties so people can get an easy virtual walk through of a property. Everything is online now so technology has to be used to its full potential.

But what about inventories? The primary function of the inventory and checkout is about the deposit. The inventory is about showing the physical condition of the property at the beginning of the tenancy and the checkout is to show if any damage that occurs during a tenancy is wear and tear or tenant liability damage. The checkout should also show if items are missing or additional items have been left behind.

The written word is key in determining the condition of the property and photos are there as a guide to backup the report.

This brings up the question of how beneficial and useful a 360 camera photo is to an inventory report. I purchased a 360 camera a month ago and have been trialling the camera.

First of all, client feedback has been excellent. They can now view the property extremely clearly and zoom in on areas that require attention.

If anyone disputes the level of decoration in a room then the 360 image will clarify this quickly and efficiently. Many queries on properties will be easily proven or disproven by simply looking at the photo.

When a tenant receives the inventory report they are usually given 7-10 days to review the report to judge if anything has been missed. It is not unusual for a tenant to move all their possessions in shortly after the inventory has been completed. So items can easily be damaged within the move in period. The 360 images will often show if the damage was present at the time of the inventory.

As mentioned above, the inventory and checkout is primarily about the deposit. Is the 360 camera beneficial for deposit disputes? Here’s what the TDS has to say:

Steve Harriott, chief executive of the Tenancy Deposit Service, says: “360° images are useful in showing the adjudicator the general layout and presentation of a room. They supplement the written word well and allow an adjudicator to look at the size of a room and the detail within. Our system allows an adjudicator to access 360° images and therefore rely upon them during an adjudication.”

The benefits I feel are pretty clear:

• Gives easy visualisation of the property at the time of inventory and checkout

• Can be used as evidence if a dispute arises, especially with regards to decoration and the structure of the property

• Saves the property manager or landlord time if a tenant disputes the condition at the checkin

But like any technology it is important that it is used correctly. The inventory clerk will still need to take the same amount of photos of the property and the written word will always be key. The 360 camera does not replace the duties or the skills of the inventory clerk.

The 360 camera photos are an addition, not a replacement for anything.

So to answer the blog title:

Are 360 camera photos a gimmick?

Absolutely not! They can be used for deposit disputes and to accurately show the condition of the property at the beginning and end of a tenancy. They add real value in showing what is inside the property and can be used practically for disputes, saving landlords and agents time in assessing the deposit deductions.

Are 360 camera photos a game-changer?

No. They are a very useful tool and an addition to an inventory and checkout. The written word is still key and a clerk still needs to assess a property fully and fairly. The 360 photos are not a replacement for anything. They are an additional benefit but one I feel is very beneficial.

If you would like to view a sample report with 360 images please send us an email.

If you are interested in our services or just want a chat our contact details are as follows:

Email: info@mwinventories.co.uk

Phone number: 07495402945

Website: https://lnkd.in/dBEAJ2C

We cover Surrey, London and the surrounding area.