There is a growing need to address existing wear and tear rules in light of the fact that more people are now working from home, according to Inventory Base.
The company reports that furnishings and fixtures in rented homes are wearing out 30% faster than before Covid-19, yet guidelines remain based on outdated assumptions.
Inventory Base points to research that shows around 41% of the UK workforce now working from home, up from 26.7% pre-pandemic, with rented properties experiencing higher daily usage as a consequence.
Items such as carpets, sofas, and painted surfaces are said to be deteriorating far more quickly.
A standard carpet, for instance, previously had an expected lifespan of eight years; that figure has now fallen to just 5.6 years.
Inventory Base argues that with changes to the rules, tenants risk unfair charges for what is effectively normal use, while landlords are absorbing more frequent replacement costs.
Inventory Base has published a new whitepaper outlining a series of recommendations including legislative updates to the Housing Act 1998, redefining “normal use” in the context of remote work.
It also wants to see revised depreciation schedules from tenancy deposit schemes to reflect higher usage as well as broader judicial interpretation in tenancy disputes, considering lifestyle changes. It would also like improved communication between landlords and tenants to set clearer expectations from the outset.
Siân Hemming-Metcalfe, operations director at Inventory Base, said: “The pressure on rental properties has changed.
“Yet, the guidelines and expectations around wear and tear haven’t kept up. That disconnect is causing confusion, disputes, and unnecessary friction.”
