The Importance of a Rental Property Inspection

A rental property inspection can help you, as a landlord, understand if a tenant is complying with the policies outlined in your lease. However, this is only a small part of what a property inspection can do for you. Performing consistent inspections helps identify repair or maintenance issues before they become larger problems. If you want to make your life as a landlord easier and improve the quality of life for your tenants, see how to conduct a full rental property inspection.

Your state or city may have different laws about how to conduct a rental inspection, what you are allowed to do, and how much time you must allow to enter. Most laws require you to give at least 24 hours notice before entering, while others require 72 hours notice. Additionally, some states may allow you to inspect certain exterior parts of the property without notice if they are not considered part of the rental property. These areas may include land around the property or sidewalks. Please note that if you do not check the laws in your area first, you risk violating your tenant's privacy, which could become a legal issue. Even if you own multiple investment properties, you should make sure to contact each of your tenants individually or through an app to schedule an inspection. This makes it easier for you to schedule everyone and let them know you'll be arriving, the estimated time it will take, and why you're checking in. It can also help ensure that tenants are present during the inspection, so there are no questions about actions or intentions later. Making your tenants an active participant in the inspection process will help them remember when and why you came and reduce the risk of future arguments.

You may be wondering why you should send inspection notices to your tenants if you've already met them. The answer is simple: you and your tenant must have actual documentation of everything you checked when scheduling the inspection. Depending on your state and local laws, you must give notice at least 24 to 72 hours before the scheduled date. That way, you remind your tenants when you'll be there and have proof that you've followed the law.

You should make a checklist of everything that needs to be inspected. Provide space for your tenants to sign off on the checklist upon completion, so everyone has a clear understanding of the condition of the property. Your checklist should include plumbing, appliances, parking areas, backyards, lighting fixtures, HVAC systems, doors, windows, and more. This helps you or your home inspector keep track of anything that needs to be reviewed and provide documentation to protect you and your property. Now you know how to perform a rental property inspection. However, if the process seems like a lot, you are not alone. You can hire a home inspector for your rental property who will handle the process for you. All you have to do is learn how to choose the right home inspector and give them the information they need to perform a thorough and accurate property inspection.