Studies show that frequent rental property inspections can reduce serious maintenance issues. How often are you inspecting your property?
If it's not often enough, you might be missing things like leaks, pests, or lease violations.
Inspections can be a hassle, but they're crucial. There's no right or wrong way to do them, but we're here to tell you when you should consider doing one. Read on to learn more.
Consider Local and Federal Regulations
There may be specific laws or regulations that govern rental property inspections. Landlords should always familiarize themselves with local laws to ensure compliance before they start trying to inspect individual properties.
They may have to inspect common areas regularly to ensure that everything is safe and up to code. When it comes to private areas (like individual units), the landlord must give their tenants at least 24 hours of notice unless the inspection is happening as the result of an urgent request or emergency situation.
Remember that tenants have a right to privacy. That notice is an absolute must. Without it, you can't enter the property.
Lease Agreement Terms
Speaking of tenant's rights and landlord responsibilities, let's talk about the lease and how it applies to your rental property inspections. Remember that if you want something specific, you should always put it in your lease agreement.
The lease agreement should outline the landlord's right to inspect the property, as well as the frequency of inspections. If the lease specifies a particular inspection schedule, like a quarterly inspection, landlords must adhere to those terms and tenants should prepare for those inspections.
That said, you still need to give notice.
Routine Inspections
Many landlords conduct routine inspections of their rental properties on an annual basis. This allows them to assess the overall condition of the property, identify any maintenance issues, and make sure that their tenants are complying with the terms of the lease.
This is a great time to look for any HVAC or plumbing issues or potential pest problems. These things may not be obvious or significant yet, but catching them during annual inspections stops them from getting worse.
Move-In and Move-Out Inspections
Landlords often perform inspections when a new tenant moves in, and again when they move out. These inspections help document the condition of the property. They can help to find any damage that may have occurred during the tenancy.
Tenants may or may not be present, but landlords should always write down their findings. Tenants, upon exit inspections, have the right to dispute those findings.
When Will You Conduct Rental Property Inspections?
Rental property inspections are important, so make sure not to slack on them. Whether you do them once per year or quarterly, as long as you notify your tenants, you'll be on the right track.
Do you need help managing your Salt Lake City properties? At Wolfnest, we're not your average property management company. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail and always putting the needs of both tenants and owners first.
We'd love to work with you. Reach out so we can start working together this year.
