ARLA Propertymark insists it is still committed to its own inventories professional body despite working with other firms.

In recent weeks, ARLA Propertymark has contributed to inventory guidance from the Tenancy Deposit Scheme alongside the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC) and is also quoted in a press release from the AIIC.

This has raised questions about the position of ARLA Inventories membership, particularly as there is no mention of it in the TDS guidance.

David Cox, chief executive of ARLA Propertymark, told EYE: “ARLA Inventories – formerly the Association of Professional Inventory Providers – like all of Propertymark’s professional bodies, works with other organisations in the sector to further our common goals.”

It comes as the AIIC warns that not all inventory clerks may be acting in the best interests of all parties.

Daniel Zane, chairman of the AIIC, said: “Look out for the AIIC logo or use our safe clerk listing to find a suitable inventory clerk that has no interest in the property, owner or tenant.

“Our clerks offer the level of protection most would assume a detailed inventory report offers.”

Cox, who is quoted in the same release, said: “The sector must not underestimate the importance of a thorough inventory.”

ARLA has trained many letting agents as to how to make their own inventories, whereas the AIIC promotes using independent clerks.