Commercial Inventory & Property Services for Businesses and Landlords
Commercial property is an investment – whether it’s an office suite, a warehouse, a retail unit or a dental practice.
When tenants move in and out, the state of your premises and the fixtures within it have a direct impact on the rent, the lifespan of your assets and the recovery of any deposit.
Inadequate inventories make it difficult to prove when damage occurred, which increases the probability of disputes. At Skribes, we specialise in commercial inventories and commercial property services for businesses and landlords of business premises across Birmingham and the surrounding area.
As an independent inventory and property services company, we provide detailed, fast and impartial reports with digital delivery through our online portal. Our goal is to protect your investment, reduce disputes and keep your premises compliant with current legislation.
Why your business needs a professional commercial inventory
Protects deposits & reduces disputes
Date-stamped photos and detailed reports document property conditions, helping adjudicators resolve claims fairly without extra evidence. This ensures accurate deposit distribution at the end of a lease.
Saves time and money.
Clear evidence makes disputes quicker to resolve, keeping premises occupied and protecting rental income. Many insurers also require a regular inventory schedule as a condition of cover.
Ensures tenant awareness
When tenants sign to confirm their agreement with the inventory, they acknowledge and agree to their responsibilities to maintain the property in its current condition.
Identifies safety & compliance issues
Experienced clerks flag safety concerns like fire hazards, electrical issues, or other risks during inventory. Their attention to detail helps identify problems early, ensuring a safe environment.
Insurance claims and disaster recovery
A detailed inventory is more than just a list. It can speed up claims if your property suffers fire, flood, or theft, ensuring fair compensation. An up‑to‑date record also helps with insurance valuations and tax depreciation calculations.
Property valuations and sales
Inventories support accurate valuations for insurance cover and for potential sale or sale‑and‑lease‑back scenarios. Surveyors often prepare a Schedule of Condition ahead of a sale to give prospective buyers evidence of the property’s condition.
Limiting dilapidation liabilities
Adding a schedule to a lease limits the tenant’s repair obligations to the property’s condition at the lease’s start. Without one, landlords or buyers might face unexpected repair costs when renewing a lease or buying a leased property.
Evidence for alterations, neighbouring works and party‑wall matters
Schedules are routinely commissioned before alterations, prior to works on neighbouring land and in connection with Party Wall Awards so that any resulting damage can be attributed to the responsible party.
Our services for commercial customers, landlords and owners of business premises
Comprehensive commercial inventory reports
On‑site detailed inventories. Our clerks visit your premises and compile a comprehensive record of all contents, fixtures and fittings. Reports include date‑ and time‑stamped photographs, make and model numbers of equipment and measurements where appropriate – no abbreviations and no guesswork.
Digital portal and e‑signatures. Reports are uploaded the same day to your secure online client portal. You can send them directly to the tenant, who can view the report, add comments and provide a digital signature using any device. Paperless inventories mean faster turnaround and improved accuracy.
Check‑in & check‑out inspections
Check‑in services. When a tenant moves in, we compare the inventory with the actual condition of the property, note any variations, additional information can be included at request and we can provide tailored and bespoke commercial reports. Tenants sign digitally on site, giving everyone clarity from day one.
Check‑out services. At the end of a tenancy, our impartial check‑out reports detail any dilapidations and compare them with the original inventory. We re‑photograph items, note damage or missing items and keys, and highlight differences so that the deposit can be apportioned fairly. Fast turnaround means you can prepare the property for the next tenant quickly.
Interim/mid‑term inspections
Regular inspections during the tenancy help ensure the premises is being maintained. They record cleanliness and condition, highlight maintenance issues early and support landlord insurance requirements. Reports can be scheduled quarterly, annually or as one‑off visits.
Legionella risk assessments
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations, landlords and property owners, or their managing agents on their behalf, must ensure occupants are not exposed to health hazards. This duty does not just apply to homes – any person or organisation who controls premises or is responsible for the water systems in those premises must ensure that the risk of exposure to Legionella is properly assessed and controlled. That includes GP surgeries, dental practices, schools, hair and beauty salons, offices and other commercial businesses whose hot‑ and cold‑water systems create a potential breeding ground for bacteria.
Our team supports a wide range of businesses in meeting this duty of care. Employers, health‑and‑safety managers and duty holders are required to identify and assess sources of risk, prepare a written scheme or water‑safety plan, implement and monitor precautions, keep records of the measures taken and appoint a competent person to oversee compliance. We handle these steps for you: our competent assessors carry out a thorough risk assessment, produce the necessary documentation and suggest practical control measures. If you run a GP practice, dental practice, manage a school, hairdresser or office, we can help you fulfil your legal obligations, protect staff and clients and avoid the fines and reputational damage that come with non‑compliance.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) for commercial properties
Non‑domestic rented properties in England and Wales must meet minimum energy efficiency standards. Since 1 April 2018 landlords have only been permitted to grant a new tenancy or renew an existing tenancy if the property has at least an EPC band E rating; from 1 April 2023 this requirement applies to all non‑domestic rented properties. Our accredited energy assessors will inspect your premises, provide a detailed report with an accurate EPC rating and suggest improvements. EPCs are valid for 10 years and are a legal requirement whenever you market or let a commercial property.
Floorplans
Prospective tenants and buyers increasingly expect clear, professional floorplans. A Rightmove survey found that one in five prospective tenants would ignore a listing that didn’t include a floorplan. We offer black‑and‑white, colour and 3‑D floorplans to showcase your commercial space. A clerk will measure the premises accurately and deliver a branded plan within 24–48 hours. Floorplans highlight features such as storage, windows and open‑plan areas and reduce wasted viewings.
Virtual property video tours
Video tours attract more interest than static photos and allow remote prospects to view the space before travelling. They are particularly useful for businesses or investors located overseas, people living far away or those who prefer an initial virtual viewing. Our team can capture high‑quality virtual tours that integrate with your marketing channels.
Why choose Skribes for your commercial property?
Experience and independence
Skribes is an independent inventory Company and property services provider supporting both residential properties and commercial premises in the West Midlands.
High‑quality evidence
We provide detailed inventories with date‑stamped photographs, ensuring everything that you require is recorded. This level of detail is vital because adjudicators rely on these documents to resolve deposit disputes.
Speed and flexibility
Same‑day turnaround on inventories and check‑out reports means your commercial premises can be re‑let quickly. We accommodate last‑minute bookings and urgent jobs.
Compliance and peace of mind
Our legionella assessments, mid‑term inspections and EPC services help you meet legal obligations and avoid penalties. We flag safety and compliance issues during our reports.
Customer‑focused service
We tailor our services to your business sector – whether you own offices, retail units, hospitality venues, or industrial premises, run a dental practice or manage a school. Our friendly team provides clear communication and a personalised approach dependent on needs and requirements.
Book your commercial inventory today
Don’t leave your property unprotected. Book your commercial inventory with Skribes today and ensure peace of mind with our expert services.