Pre-inspection Audit in Bordeaux
Get ahead of your move-out: a preventive visit to identify issues to fix before the official inspection and maximise your chances of recovering your full security deposit.
Prevention Rather Than Regret
The pre-inspection audit is a proactive approach carried out a few weeks before the end of the tenancy. Its aim is simple: to go through the property with the same professional eye that will be applied during the official check-out inspection, so as to identify in advance any points likely to generate deductions from the security deposit.
This service is primarily aimed at tenants keen to recover their security deposit in full, but it is also requested by landlords who want to prepare calmly for the transition between tenants. The audit transforms the check-out inspection — often experienced as a stressful event — into a manageable formality.
What We Identify During the Audit
Repairable Damage
Wall plug holes to fill, paint to touch up, bathroom seals to replace, cracked window pane to replace. We draw up an exhaustive list of damage that the tenant can repair themselves or have repaired before move-out, with an estimate of the cost if the work is not carried out.
Cleanliness Issues
Blackened tile grout, clogged extractor hood, limescale on taps, mould on shower seals. These routine maintenance failings are easily corrected but are frequently flagged at check-out when they have not been addressed.
Defective Equipment
Broken switch, loose socket, dripping tap, leaking cistern. Routine tenant repairs are the tenant's responsibility and failure to carry them out can justify a deduction. The audit allows these to be spotted and dealt with in time.
Fair Wear and Tear Points
We also identify elements that fall under normal fair wear and tear (paintwork faded after 8 years, parquet worn through use) for which no deduction should be made. This information reassures the tenant and avoids unnecessary remedial work.
Personalised Advice for Tenants
The audit does not stop at a list of observations: it leads to concrete, prioritised recommendations. We distinguish three levels of priority:
Essential Repairs
Clear damage that will almost certainly result in a deduction if not repaired. Examples: a 5 cm hole in a partition wall, a broken window pane, a burn mark on a worktop.
Recommended Improvements
Defects that might be flagged depending on the strictness of the check-out inspector. A thorough clean or a minor repair is usually sufficient. Examples: adhesive residue on a wall, slightly scaled tap.
Points to Be Aware Of
Elements to monitor but which in principle fall under normal fair wear and tear. No action is required, but the tenant is informed so they can anticipate any discussion on move-out day.
How the Audit Works
The audit takes place in the presence of the tenant, ideally 3 to 4 weeks before the move-out date. We go through the entire property following the same protocol as an official inspection, commenting on observations aloud and answering the tenant's questions as we go.
At the end of the visit, a summary report is emailed to the tenant within 48 hours. This report lists the points identified, ranked by priority, with a recommended action and an estimate of the deduction avoided if the correction is made.
The tenant thus has a clear action plan for preparing the handover of the property. This proactive approach is consistently welcomed by landlords and property managers, as it considerably reduces the risk of disagreement on move-out day.
Pre-inspection Audit Pricing
All prices excl. VAT (20% VAT applicable) — Key collection included — Volume discounts available
Frequently asked questions
We recommend booking the audit at least 3 to 4 weeks before the planned move-out date. This allows enough time to carry out any minor repairs identified (filling holes, deep cleaning, replacing seals) without rushing.
Yes, because even a well-maintained property can have unsuspected defects: blackened shower seal, forgotten fixing marks behind a frame, clogged ventilation grille. The audit allows these details to be dealt with before they are picked up during the official check-out inspection.
The audit report is an advisory document, not a legally binding inventory report. It has no status as a jointly agreed record and does not replace the official check-out inspection. Its value is essentially practical: helping the tenant prepare the handover of the property in the best possible conditions.
The audit can be requested by either the tenant or the landlord. A proactive landlord may offer an audit to their outgoing tenant to ease the transition and reduce the risk of a dispute. It is a modest investment that can prevent months of proceedings in the event of a disagreement over the security deposit.
Related Services
Check-out Inspection
The official check-out inspection that follows your audit — with full peace of mind.
Check-in / Check-out Comparison
The differential report that will objectively document any remaining discrepancies after your corrections.
Technical Survey
In-depth equipment check before handing back the property.
Certifications & guarantees
ALUR Act
Reports fully compliant with French tenancy law of 24 March 2014
eIDAS certification
Qualified electronic signature for legally enforceable documents
Professional indemnity insurance
Full professional indemnity cover for your peace of mind
Independence
No affiliation with any estate agency or landlord
Prepare Your Move-out with Confidence
A preventive audit to maximise the return of your security deposit.