Inspecting your rental property is an important way for you to check on its condition and to make sure that your tenants are following the terms of your lease. Many landlords ask us how often they should inspect. We recommend that you visit your property at least three or four times per year.
Move-In Inspection
The most important inspection is the move-in inspection. You must document the exact condition of the property before you give it to the tenant. Make sure you take lots of pictures, video and document in writing every aspect of the property’s interior and exterior.
Periodic Inspections
After your move-in inspection, you’ll want to do periodic inspections every quarter or six months. Visit the property, interview the tenant and make sure you take additional videos and pictures. Then you can assess any preventative maintenance that is necessary to avoid costly repairs in the future. Before the end of the lease, the tenant must give you a notice of renewal or non-renewal. If the tenant decides to stay in your property, go inspect it at that point. Make sure you look at how well the tenant has been caring for the home, and decide if you want the tenant to be there for another year.
Move-Out Inspection
The move-out inspection needs to be just as detailed as the inspection you conducted before the tenant moved in. Cover every aspect of the property, inside and outside. Take pictures, video and document in writing every single part of the house. The move-in and move-out inspections are what you’ll use to compare property condition. This will tell you if there is any damage that the tenant is responsible for.
Don’t forget to leave room for normal wear and tear. If there is damage, you have the right to claim it against the tenant’s security deposit.
Contact us at RentCare Property Management if you have any questions, and we’ll be happy to help you.
