Moving house usually means a lot of paperwork. There are contracts to be signed and addresses to be changed, and if you are renting, inventories to be checked.

When you've got so many other things to do, arranging and checking an inventory can seem like a time-consuming process, but doing this at the start can save a lot of hassle and money later on.

One tenant, Janet Ross, unfortunately learned the importance of inventories the hard way when she moved into a rented flat a few years ago. "I moved in quite a hurry, so although the estate agent mentioned getting an inventory, I didn't get one," she said. "The flat looked superficially okay, so I moved in and gave my deposit.

"But once I was in, I started to notice things like the carpet was soiled, and the microwave was broken. I told the landlord straight away but his response was to say that these things were fine when I moved in, which just wasn't true."

When Janet left the property, she said the flat was probably in a better condition than when she had moved in. Even so, she lost her deposit and without an inventory to prove the condition of the property at the start of her tennancy, she found that she had no way to claim her money back.

Although many landlords and estate agents do insist upon inventories, it can be a good idea to get one drawn up by an independent company. This gives an added level of protection as you have a third party to witness exactly what condition the property is in at the start.

Charlotte Sanders, of Howard Inventories in north London, said that in order to get the best from an inventory, it needs to be as detailed as possible.

"People are often surprised about how much detail we go into," she said. "We take digital photos and moving images of items actually working. We will even take video of the toilet flushing to prove that it is good working order."

Once the inventory is completed, a schedule of condition is produced which is then signed and verified by both the landlord and the tenant. At the end of the tenancy, an inventory firm can provide a 'check-out' service, to check the condition of every thing before the deposit is returned.

As well as providing protection for the tenant, an inventory is just as important for landlords. Many rented properties are supplied furnished and contain appliances which would be costly to replace.

Lanlord Ruth Gibbons said that when she began renting out her properties, she didn't use inventories. But after a bad experience with a tenant, she now never rents without one.

"When this tenant left, the place was a complete tip," she said. "He had badly abused the property. The toilet wasn't working and the brand new shower was broken. Unfortunately, as we had no inventory, there was nothing we could do."

If you would like more infomation, contact Howard Inventories on 020 8959 0874