Inspecting your rental property is an important part of protecting its condition. You’ll want to inspect the home before a tenant moves in to document its condition. You’ll also want to inspect it after a tenant moves out, so you can assess the property for any damage that may have been left behind. We also recommend you inspect the property at least once during the tenancy so you can look for any indications of unreported or deferred maintenance and so you can make sure your tenants are following the terms of your lease agreement.
It can be an overwhelming process, but if you have a rental inspection checklist and a consistent system for checking everything out, you should be able to get a good idea of what needs to be fixed or updated in your rental property.
Here are some of the things you should check during every inspection.
Look for Leaks and Water
Water can do more damage to a property than anything else. When you’re inspecting the home, look under every sink. Make sure there isn’t any moisture or leaking. If a slow leak is left undetected, it can become a large plumbing problem. Then, you’ll have rot and possibly mold to contend with. Check each faucet, every sink, and all the tubs and toilets. Turn on the appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines to make sure there isn’t any runaway water.
Check out exterior irrigation as well. Look at the gutters for debris and branches that may be allowing moisture into the home. Trim back any tree limbs and make sure your sprinklers are functional and not leaking.
Test Your Major Systems
You also want to inspect your electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling systems when you inspect your rental home. Turn on the furnace and the air conditioning. Plug something into every outlet and make sure everything is running the way you expect it to. Change the air filters and look for light bulbs that may have burnt out. Check the locks on doors and windows and make sure the garage door opens and closes properly. This is especially important before a tenant moves in. You want to provide a functional, well-maintained home and show them the condition in which you expect to get the property back.
Look for Lease Violations
When you’re inspecting the property while a tenant is in place, do a quick check to ensure they’re treating the property the way you expect them to. Tenants don’t want to feel like you’re checking up on them or invading their privacy, so be communicative and open. Give them plenty of notice before you turn up to check things out. While inside, be sure they’re taking care of the home and keeping it free of messes, pests, and other hazards. You can also use this as an opportunity to find out if your tenant needs anything to have a better rental experience.
Inspecting your rental property does not have to be stressful. We have an automated and systemized process that includes detailed photographs and inspection reports. If you’d like to learn more, please contact us at Decas Group.
