Implementing the right training and qualifications helps to build trust and transparency across all industries. That is according to the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC).
The AIIC claims that the property industry must actively make training and qualifications an integral part of all processes to significantly improve itself and match up to other, more heavily regulated industries, such as law, teaching, medicine and chartered surveying.
Daniel Evans, chair of the AIIC and managing director of Home Inventories, explains: “Industries such as healthcare are renowned for their high regard for training and qualifications, and this has proven to be successful in improving trust and reputation. Industries that prioritise training allow there to be less room for mistakes or inconsistencies to take place.”
“A high-quality training program that provides the trainee with a qualification is invaluable in improving the reputation of the property industry. Certifications that are gained once the training is complete allow people to easily recognise who is fit for the job.”
With all industries continuing to embrace online methods of communication, people who are willing to learn can be trained in different ways. Recent statistics show that online learning could be the more popular method as this takes 40% to 60% less time than traditional face-to-face learning.
Evans further explains: “Inventory training can help to improve the industry standard. Therefore, our mission is to make independent inventories become a compulsory part of the signing of a tenancy agreement in the UK.”
Evans observes that the property industry continues to be directly affected by the pandemic. Since its emergence in 2020, it has bought various issues in the industry to the forefront and forced its members to rethink the way they conduct business.
Inventories that are carried out by people who have been properly trained help provide peace of mind for tenants, letting agents, and landlords.
Previously, the property industry has been slower to adapt to change but ensuring those in the industry are properly trained is particularly useful to help alleviate uncertainty if, for example, something like deposit disputes arise.
Furthermore, making sure that the service provided by property professionals is of the highest standard can help to reduce the chances of mistakes or unforeseen errors being made.
The AIIC chair and managing director of Home Inventories clarifies: “Training shouldn’t be seen as a burden, a nice to have or an after-thought, but an integral feature for property professionals across the board. Training helps improve precision of the service that is provided and knowledge of the people who provide the service. Letting agents, landlords, tenants and the industry as a whole will benefit from inventories that have been conducted by fully trained and qualified professionals.”
“Training provides an opportunity to expand knowledge and it makes the cost and time taken a worthwhile investment. Often, training enables people to be more efficient because it results in someone who has a higher skill level.”
Effective inventories typically include time and date stamped videos and photographs. These contain accurate reports that thoroughly break down the exterior and interior of the home before the tenancy.
According to the AIIC, the only way the property industry can move faster to keep up with other industries is through training across the board.
“For our part, by hiring properly trained inventory clerks with reputable qualifications, we can ensure that inventories are carried out to the highest standard,” Evans added.
“The AIIC aims to improve the industry standard by spreading awareness to UK landlords, tenants, and agents about the importance of the inventory process and making use of professional independent inventory clerks.”
More information regarding the AIIC can be found online here. Throughout the year, the AIIC runs courses dedicated to established and inexperienced inventory professionals.
