Inspections can feel tedious. They’re time consuming. They require documentation and paperwork. What if you find something you don’t like happening at your rental property?
We understand. However, it’s important to perform regular property inspections to protect the condition of your
Arlington investment property. You want to check for deferred or unreported maintenance issues. Inspections are also a good way to hold your tenants accountable to their lease agreements.
Regular inspections can provide peace of mind; you’ll know everything is going the way it should. They also save you money on deferred maintenance and emergency repairs.
Inspections during a vacancy are
easy enough to manage. But, when you want to walk through an occupied property, you need to be respectful of your residents. Privacy is important. You want to balance your need to inspect with your tenant’s right to the quiet enjoyment of their property.
Make routine inspections part of your lease agreement so residents know to expect them. And, pay close attention to the way you inspect during move-in and move-out periods.
Start with a thorough move-in inspection.
A well-documented record of your property’s condition is required before a tenant takes possession, and we recommend that you take a lot of pictures and detailed notes. Take photos and videos of every detail, including paint condition, floors, doors, walls, ceilings, and closets. All of this documentation will serve you well at the end of the lease.
Look for leaks, appliances that aren’t working, and lights that won’t turn on.
After the tenant has moved out, you need to conduct another inspection of your rental property using your initial move-in report. This gives you the opportunity to see if anything has been damaged.
Normal wear and tear is expected, and you’ll have to pay for it yourself. However, any obvious damage due to the tenant’s behavior or neglect can be deducted from the security deposit. This inspection will be especially important if there are any disputes over the security deposit. Make sure everything is documented.
At some point during the lease period, schedule a routine inspection or walk-through with your tenants.
When you include this in your lease agreement and talk about the inspection before your tenants move in, it won’t be a surprise. Good residents will welcome the opportunity to show you that they’re taking care of the home, especially if they’re enjoying the place and hoping to renew their lease.
When you’re at the property, take some pictures and look around for any unreported or deferred maintenance issues. You’ll also want to look for lease violations. If you have a strict no-pet policy and you see cat beds all over the house, you’ll have to discuss this with your tenant.
Inspections are necessary, and we strongly encourage you to perform them. However, if you don’t have the time or resources, partner with a
professional Arlington property manager. We know
what to look for and how to hold your tenants accountable.
If you’d like some help inspecting please contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.
