What’s involved in a routine inspection?
Held at regular intervals throughout a tenancy, routine inspections are designed to benefit both landlords and tenants, while protecting the value of the rental property.
So what exactly is involved?
The routine inspection
Conducted as often as four times a year, routine inspections see the property manager visit the rental home to cast their eye over its condition.
The inspection generally involves a walk-through of the property’s interior and an assessment of the exterior as well.
Basically, this inspection is designed to make sure the property remains in a similar condition to when the lease began, including ensuring:
- There’s no damage to the home
- It’s being kept in good repair
- Lease conditions are being met
- There are no upcoming issues that might need maintenance and/or repairs
Routine inspections are a requirement of any lease, and while they might seem an inconvenience for the tenant, they are actually designed to protect all parties in the rental process.
What the property manager does
Routine inspections are generally fairly quick and involve the property manager walking through each room of the home. They may also take photos as a visual reference for the landlord.
If there have been recent repairs or maintenance issues tended to, the property manager will also look at these on behalf of the owner, and may check specific things like pool gates, fencing, or gutters.
For the landlord
For the landlord routine inspections are designed to offer the peace of mind that their property is in good hands. They can also flag any potential maintenance issues or repairs that need to be made in order to protect the value of the asset.
For the tenant
Routine inspections also offer peace of mind for the tenant, and are the chance to raise any concerns about the property with the property manager. So, if you have any maintenance issues or things about the property in need of repair, this is a timely opportunity to mention them.
How often
Routine inspections can occur as often as every three months. Sometimes they might occur less frequently, but under most state’s tenancy laws they cannot occur more than once in a three-month period, unless the tenant agrees in writing.
That means in a 12-month period there should be no more than four routine inspections.
Notice required
A tenant must be notified in writing prior to any routine inspection taking place. This notice can be provided via email or letter, and the documentation will set out the date and the time period during which the property manager is expected to arrive.
How tenants should prepare
Tenants do not need to be present for a routine inspection, but they can be at the property if they wish.
Meanwhile, preparing for a routine inspection needn’t be arduous. Basically, the property should be clean, tidy, and in good repair, with attention paid to fixtures like the oven and fans to ensure they’re free of dirt and dust.
How we can help
Our experienced property managers pride themselves on establishing great relationships with both tenants and landlords. We manage every property as if it were our own and you can learn more about our property management services here.
