Home inventory checklist: record what you own, room by room

What to include in a home inventory

Give each item a clear name, a property and a room. Record its purchase date and original cost when you know them. Keep an estimated value separate from the amount you paid: an older laptop and a recently purchased sofa will not necessarily retain their purchase value.

• Living room: sofas, tables, televisions, speakers and shelving.
• Kitchen and laundry: fridges, washing machines, small appliances and cookware.
• Bedrooms: beds, wardrobes, desks and personal belongings.
• Study and garage: computers, monitors, tools, equipment and stored furniture.

Work through one room at a time

Walk around the room in a consistent direction and record the larger items first. Use names you will recognise later, such as “living room television” instead of “TV 1”. Add smaller belongings in a second pass.

If a purchase price is missing, leave it unknown rather than guessing. For any estimate you make, keep a separate note of how and when you arrived at it so you can review it later.

Keep the list useful after the first pass

Update your inventory when you buy, move, sell or give away a belonging. A short review of one room is easier to maintain than repeatedly rebuilding a household spreadsheet.

WorthOf lets you organise properties, rooms and belongings, record purchase details and costs, and add your own estimated values. It provides a place to maintain the inventory; the values remain estimates you assign, rather than automatic valuations.