APIP logo

The Association of
Professional Inventory Providers


Education

APIP have designed two courses.

The Professional Inventory Provision Course A is designed to cover the basic knowledge and skills that an Inventory Provider needs in order to prepare inventories that are fit for purpose. 

This course is therefore essential for:

  • Those with little or no experience and who wish to start as inventory providers
  • Those with experience in other aspects of lettings (letting agents or property managers) who now need to undertake the provision of inventories.
  • Those, such as property managers, who rely upon the work done by Inventory Providers and who wish to make sure it is conducted properly.

It covers part of the syllabus for the APIP Examination, the whole syllabus will be covered by attending Part B as well.

The Accreditation exam can be taken at the end of this course but delegates are advised that the whole syllabus for the exam is covered by attending Part B as well. 

Professional Inventory Provision Course B    This course is aimed specifically at those people who have a working knowledge of how to produce an inventory and who now wish to complete their knowledge of the rest of the processes usually undertaken by an Inventory Provider.

The course will deal with a number of aspects of lettings which agents/property managers will already be familiar with.  However, it will deal with them purely from the point of view of the inventory provider.

It is therefore essential for:

  • Those with some experience of the practicalities of preparing inventories and who want to extend their knowledge to cover the full process.
  • Property Managers who undertake property visits and Check Outs themselves.
  • Those, such as Property Managers, who rely upon the work done by Inventory Providers and who wish to make sure that it is conducted properly by others.

It covers part of the syllabus for the APIP Examination, the whole syllabus will be covered by attending Part A aswell. 

 The Accreditation exam can be taken at the end of this course but delegates are advised that the whole syllabus will be covered by attending Part A as well. Questions are based on the publication "A Guide to Best Practice for Inventory Providers".  It is optional to purchase this material.  

If attending both days the exam can only be taken at the end of day 2.( Passing this exam is compulsory for full membership).

We will also be running a half day workshop for those with a working knowledge of, and some experience in, the role of Inventory provision. 


To find out more about our courses and publications, please view the following:

 

Professional Inventory Provision Course A

This course is designed to cover the basic knowledge and skills that an Inventory provider needs in order to prepare inventories that are fit for purpose.

It covers part of the syllabus for the APIP Examination.  The whole syllabus will be covered by attending Part B as well.

This course is therefore essential for

  • Those with little or no experience and who wish to start as inventory providers.
  • Those with experience in other aspects of lettings (lettings agents or property managers) who now need to undertake the provision of inventories.
  • Those, such as property managers, who rely upon the work done by inventory providers and who wish to make sure that it is conducted property. 

Topics Include  

  • The role and importance of the inventory process.  
  • Independence, subjectivity and best practice.
  • Basic legal compliance, Data Protection and Copyright
  • Importance of insurance
  • Health and Sagety issues when working
  • Equipment required and a brief survey of the mothods available for recording inventories
  • The role and use of photographs
  • What an Inventory should contain: format, layout and contents
  • Disclaimers
  • How an Inventory should be recorded
  • The attention to detail and the use of terminology
  • A brief overview of Common Law responsibilities

This course will run from 9.30 am until 4.30 pm - The APIP Accreditation Exam can be taken after this course but this course alone does not cover the whole syllabus.  If you wish to sit the exam please book a place.  

                   

 


  • Dates and Locations

    COURSE TITLE

    DATE

    LOCATION

    CODE

    EXAM CODE

    Professional Inventory Provision A - Fully Booked

    Tuesday 29 January

    London

    API301

    EX301

    Professional Inventory Provision A

    Tuesday 19 March

    Birmingham

    API302

    EX302

    Professional Inventory Provision A

    Tuesday 9 April

    Edinburgh

    API303

    EX303

    Professional Inventory Provision A

    Tuesday 23 April

    Chester

    API304

    EX304

    Professional Inventory Provision A

    Wednesday 5 June

    Bath

    API305

    EX305

    Professional Inventory Provision A

    Thursday 27 June

    London

    API306

    EX306

    Professional Inventory Provision A

    Tuesday 3 September

    Scotland

    API313

    EX013

    Professional Inventory Provision A

    Tuesday 17 September

    London

    API314

    EX014

  • Course/Exam booking form
Professional Inventory Provision Course B

This course is aimed specifically at thos epeople who have a working knowledge of how to produce an inventory and who now wish to complete their knowledge of the rest of the process usually undertaken by an inventory provider.

It covers part of the syllabus for th APIP Examination.  The whole syllabus will be covered by attending Part A aswell.

The course will deal with a number of aspects of lettings which agents/property managers will already be familiar with.  However, it will deal with them purely from the point of view of the inventory provider.

It is therefore essential for

  • Those with some experience of the practicalities of preparing inventories and who want to extend their knowledge to cover the full process.
  • Property Managers who undertake property visits and Check Outs themselves.
  • Those, such as property managers, who rely upon the work done by Inventory roviders and who wish to make sure that it is conducted properly by others.

Topics include

  • Conducting a Check In
  • Conducting an Interim Property Visit
  • The right of access and Occupier Liability
  • Conducting a Check Out
  • An overview of safety requirements in rented property
  • An understanding of Common Law duty of care
  • Risk Assessment and Negligence
  • A brief survey of the principles of fair wear and tear and the assessment of damage
  • The Inventory documents and Tenant Deposit Dispute Resolution

This course will run from 9.30 am - 4.30 pm and the APIP Accreditation exam can be taken after this course but this course alone will not cover the whole syllabus.


  • Dates and Locations

    COURSE TITLE DATE LOCATION CODE EXAM CODE
    Professional Inventory Provision B   Wednesday 30 January  London API307 EX307
    Professional Inventory Provision B Wednesday 20 March Birmingham API308 EX308
    Professional Inventory Provision B Wednesday 10 April  Edinburgh API309 EX309
    Professional Inventory Provision B Wednesday 24 April  Chester API310 EX310
    Professional Inventory Provision B Thursday 6 June Bath API311 EX311
    Professional Inventory Provision B Wednesday 3 July  London  API312 EX312
    Professional Inventory Provision B Wednesday 4 September  Scotland API315 EX315
    Professional Inventory Provision B Wednesday 18 September London API316 EX316

  • Course/Exam Booking Form
Professional Provision Workshop (Half Day)

This half day course is designed for those with a working knowlege of, and some experience in, the role of Inventory provision and who have attained the level of knowledge required to pass the APIP Accreditation examination.

The course will concentrate on looking at potential problems and pitfalls and how to avoid them.  The course will include a number of real recent scenarios to demonstrate issues which have caused problems for inventory  providers and will suggest how they may have been avoided.

Contents will include

  • An update on best practice in the light of current property related legislation
  • An examination of how imprecise use of language can lead to the wrong conclusions
  • An examination of issues caused by problems with the inventory process and how to avoid them. 
  • A look at where the responsibilities of the inventory provider end
  • Issues arising for the inventory provider stemming from tenant deposit protection and dispute resolution practice.

Delegates will be encouraged to bring along their own issues and scenarios with them for discussion.   

9.30 am - 1 pm


  • Dates and Locations for 2013

     

    Professional Inventory Workshop

    Tuesday 5 March

    London

    PIW301

    Professional Inventory Workshop

    Wednesday 17 April

    Birmingham

    PIW302

    Professional Inventory Workshop

    Thursday 23 May

    Chester

    PIW303

    Professional Inventory Workshop

    Thursday 20 June

    Bath

    PIW304

    Professional Inventory Workshop

    Thursday 4 July

    London

    PIW305

  • APIP Course Booking Form
The Accreditation Exam

The Accreditation Exam                                                                                                             4:30pm

Please note that delegates attending the Accreditation Exam MUST bring proof of photo identification with them, otherwise they cannot sit the exam.

Questions are based on the publication 'A Guide to Best Practice for Inventory Providers' which can be purchased through APIP

Passing the Accreditation Exam is a necessary condition for Individual Membership of APIP. The exam can be taken after each APIP course. If it is taken independently from the course there will be a charge of £45.

Student Membership is available to those who have not passed the Accreditation Exam, or who don't have six months experience. The maximum period of student membership is 24 months. The APIP logo cannot be used.


Example Exam Questions

1) When taking an inventory of a three bedroom house which room would be cited as bedroom 1?

a The master bedroom with the en-suite shower room
b The largest bedroom
c The first bedroom on the left going up the stairs
d The front right hand bedroom (when viewed from the street)

2) An agency has a policy of not physically checking the tenant into the property and instead gives the tenant the inventory to check and return. What is considered best practice in terms of the time allowed to the tenant to return the inventory?

a 8 hours
b 48 hours
c 5 days
d 7 days

3) When conducting a check out the tenant asks to be allowed back into the property to carry out some additional cleaning to save on costs. Under what circumstances would this be allowed?

a The tenant should not be allowed back into the property unaccompanied once the checkout has been completed
b The tenant can have the keys providing they sign to say they will return them within a pre-agreed period of time
c The tenant may be allowed back into the property but only on first agreeing a schedule and the standard of cleaning required
d The tenant may be allowed back into the property but only in order to accompany their own professional cleaner to carry out the agreed work

4) When conducting an interim visit during the course of the tenancy which of the following should always be done?

a Check the interior of all cupboards
b Lock every lock when leaving the property
c Check all battery operated smoke detectors where possible
d Check the interior of the kitchen white goods for possible damage.


APIP Accreditation Test Syllabus

APIP ACCREDITATION TEST SYLLABUS

INVENTORY PROVISION

  • Timings
  • Detail requirements
  • Formatting and specific detail
  • Photographs
  • Disclaimers
  • Exterior and common ways
  • Tenant swap
  • Condition commentary
  • Problem notification
  • Landlord attendance
  • Meter reading

CHECK IN

  • Process
  • Tenant advice
  • Amendments
  • Signature
  • Check in report
  • Check in alternatives

INTERIM VISIT

  • Access provisions
  • Access refusal
  • Visit preparation
  • Tenant breach
  • Landlord liability
  • Visit purpose
  • Report findings

CHECK OUT

  • Tenant advice
  • Relevant documentation
  • Tenant present/not present
  • Check out process
  • Abandoned goods
  • Missing items
  • Hand over requirements
  • mmediate reporting requirements
  • Key handover
  • Possession and security
  • Check out report

DAMAGES

  • Deposit holding requirements
  • Stakeholder/Landlord Agent
  • Betterment
  • Liability of the parties
  • Fair wear and tear basis
  • Voluntary and permissive waste
  • Recommendations
  • Lifespan of items and decorations
  • Assessing apportionment
  • Compensation
  • Repair
  • Mediating
  • Housing Act 2004 – tenant deposit protection schemes/Housing (Scotland) Act 2006

GENERAL and SAFETY

  • Insurance requirements
  • Terminology
  • Safety Regulations

                                       Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998

                                       Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994

                                       Plug & Socket Regulations1994

                                       Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations (1988)

  • Appliance manuals
  • Housing Act 2004 - HHSRS recognition/Housing (Scotland )Act 2006 Repairing Standards
  • Terms and condition of business
  • Vicarious liability
  • Occupier liability
  • Loner worker safety


Prices

 

 

Whole day course:

NAEA/NAVA/ARLA/APIP/ICBA Individual Member: £155+VAT includes lunch, should you wish to take the Accreditation Exam straight after doing the day course you can do so at no extra charge. 

Non–Member: £225+VAT includes lunch, Should you wish to take the Accreditation Exam straight after doing the day course you can do so at no extra charge.

Should you wish to take the Accreditation Exam independently then there is a charge of £45.00, no VAT is charged. The exam can be taken along with other delegates at the end of the days' courses or at our Warwick offices please ring 01926 417363 to discuss availability.

Half day course:

NAEA/NAVA/ARLA/ICBA/ and APIP Individual Member: £80 + VAT

Non Member £120 + VAT


Publication: 'A Guide to Best Practice for Inventory Providers'

'A Guide to Best Practice for Inventory Providers '

The Housing Act 2004 introduced Tenancy Deposit Protection. The objective of this was to provide a fair and economical system to resolve disputes between tenants and landlords. Whilst the legislation does not make the provision for an inventory mandatory. It will, however be essential to have  an agreed quality inventory to catalogue any damages or deficiencies to a residential let property during the course of a tenancy. The guide was produced independently by Asset Skills for the Professional Bodies for the letting industry.

This study material contains:
Guidance notes
Self- test questions
CD-Rom with photographs
Practical examples
And a downloadable template for use when letting and managing all residential property.

The Association of Professional Inventory Providers is in full support of this Guide and recommends it to all those working within this industry.

Click the attachment for more information and to download an order form.

Download


APIP Renewal Form

PLEASE RETURN THIS COMPLETED FORM TO ENSURE YOUR CONTINUED MEMBERSHIP

Download


Why is a thorough, detailed and accurate inventory essential to protect the interests of all parties including the agent?

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.