The Association of
Professional Inventory Providers

Benefits include:

• Use of the APIP logo on your personal stationery inventories
• Use of the designatory letters - MAPIP
• Member discounts on ARLA/NAEA short courses
• £200 discount on Domestic Energy Inspector training with Elmhurst Energy
• Your Name listed on the APIP website for the agents and landlords to search and view
• Access to Members’ area of the APIP website
• Quality assurance and standardised level of service provision
• Compliance advice and guidance
• Continuing Professional Development opportunities.

Future benefit plans:

 Newsletter for members
 Forum for members on website
 Members helpline

A detailed inventory has always been required however with changes in legislation the spotlight is now firmly on the inventory and check in and check out processes.

Recent tenancy deposit scheme cases have highlighted the need for the clear concise inventory to protect the landlord. Many cases have resulted in a full return of the deposit as the landlord could not provide sufficient evidence to successfully pursue their action.

Initially driven by the consumer interest bodies,due to increasing complaints from tenants not being able to recover their deposit at the end of a tenancy, government was lobbied to provide protection and and dispute resolution. 

Following extensive trials ARLA, NAEA and RICS were able to demonstrate to the government that member agents had the ability to hold the deposit themselves and submit any disputes to an independent adjudicator.

However this did not account for individual landlords or agents that did not belong to a redress scheme or were not regulated in any way. As a result the Housing Act 2004 was passed and the requirement to protect the deposit came into effect from the 6th April 2007.

This law requires that all Assured Shorthold Tenancies created or renewed on or after the 6th April 2007 must have the tenant’s deposit properly protected.

Three schemes were approved by government and the TDS set up by the professional bodies is usually the preferred option for agents.

There are three schemes, two insured and one custodial. Under the insured scheme the agent or landlord can continue to hold the deposit providing they have been accepted into membership of the scheme and have paid the premiums required.

The custodial scheme holds the deposit and is open to any landlord or agent who wishes to use the service.

All the schemes are required to offer  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 adjudicator concerned will review the evidence and make their assessment on the facts placed before them.

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. They will also note any comments made at the check in. This places a responsibility on the inventory provider to ensure that their work is clear, well laid out and unambiguous in its comments. Independence of the inventory is also important and APIP with its standards and code of practice provide professional integrity in this area.

If an inventory is inadequate, out of date, non-existent or if it cannot be proven to have been given to the tenant then the adjudicators are likely to award the deposit to the tenant unless the tenant admits to damage or losses. After a period of time operating the schemes this message is being reflected in the ADR outcomes, with many inventories being found to be either inadequate at the outset, or failing to make the correct substantiated observations at the check - out.

Membership of the Association of Professional Inventory Providers will be a clear demonstration to landlords, agents and tenants that the member has achieved accreditation in their profession and has met the industry best practice standards.

A member will be able to use the initials APIP after their name.  In addition it will be a requirement that each inventory compiled by a member carries the name and membership number of the member.  This will become recognised in the industry as the benchmark for a professional inventory.

A member will have proved that they have worked as an inventory provider for at least six months prior to taking the test and shown that they meet the requirements of holding current, adequate public liability and professional indemnity insurance. These are strong indicators that the inventory provider who carries the initials APIP is regarded as a competent professional within their industry.

Using an inventory provider with this qualification will raise the profile of the agent and reassure the landlord and tenant alike that this important side of the business is being treated with the professionalism it deserves.

Membership is open to the independent inventory provider or an employed staff member of a lettings agent. In other words, anyone who works either full or part-time in the industry providing inventories and the accompanying services, who has the correct insurances in place and has passed the accreditation examination or other recognised relevant qualification.

How do I become accredited?

To become fully accredited a member must have passed the APIP Accreditation Exam, have a minimum of six months experience and have up-to-date public liability and professional indemnity insurance.

The exam is multiple choice and the full examination syllabus can be found in the education section of this website. Much of the syllabus content is covered in the publication ‘The Guide to Best Practice for Inventory Providers’ which is available from APIP.

APIP also provide two courses which cover all the topics included in the syllabus.

An Introduction to Inventory Provision is a whole day course which deals with the basic principles of inventory provision and covers the essential knowledge required to be able to produce the essential inventory documents.

 The Advanced Course is also a whole day course and deals with more complex issues that affect the work of an inventory provider.

More details of both courses are found in the education section of this website.