The condition report

Whenever you start a tenancy you will have to fill in a condition report. The report describes the condition of the place you are renting at the start of the tenancy and again at the end of the tenancy.

Initially the landlord or agent will complete the report and then give you, the tenant, two copies. You need to indicate on the report if you agree or don't agree with their description of the house and its contents. If you don't agree then you need to mention this on the condition report and give a reason. You can attach a separate page to the report if you need to.

You must return one of the copies of the completed condition report to the agent/landlord within seven days of moving in. You should keep one copy of the condition report until the end of the tenancy when you will make a final inspection of the place. You will need to compare the final inspection with the inspection made at the start of the tenancy. If you don't complete the condition report at the start of the tenancy you may be blamed for things that existed before you moved in and this could be used to keep part of your bond money.

Things to include on the condition report are:

• any promises that the landlord or agent makes about a repair or to have the place painted.
• the water meter reading, particularly if the lease asks you, the tenant, to pay for water usage.