Complete Lost Property Service
Multi-site lost property audit checklist
Use this checklist to compare controls across sites, identify inconsistent practices and create a prioritised improvement plan.
Governance and ownership
- A named role owns the organisation-wide lost property policy and performance.
- Every site knows who accepts, stores, reviews and releases found property.
- Training, escalation and access permissions are documented and current.
- Local variations are approved, recorded and justified.
Intake and handover
- Found items receive a unique reference and minimum necessary record.
- The location, date, condition and receiving colleague are captured consistently.
- Secure containers, seals or equivalent handover controls are available.
- Sensitive, hazardous or suspected illegal items have clear escalation routes.
Storage and stock control
- Storage prevents unauthorised access, casual viewing, loss and avoidable damage.
- Valuables and data-bearing items receive enhanced controls.
- Physical items can be reconciled to records and discrepancies are escalated.
- Storage capacity and ageing items are monitored.
Claims and returns
- Claimants receive a clear route and realistic response expectations.
- Ownership is verified using proportionate, non-public evidence.
- Release decisions, identity checks and handovers are recorded.
- Courier arrangements protect the item and provide tracking or delivery evidence.
Retention, disposal and records
- An approved schedule covers each material item category and associated record.
- Expired items are reviewed and processed through authorised disposal routes.
- Disposal decisions and outcomes are auditable.
- Personal data is limited, protected and deleted when no longer required.
Performance and improvement
- Sites report comparable item, claim, return, ageing, complaint and exception data.
- Audits include both records and a sample of physical items.
- Actions have owners, priorities, deadlines and evidence of closure.
- The organisation reviews whether internal delivery remains efficient and proportionate.
Published and reviewed by Complete Lost Property Service on 10 August 2026.
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