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Regular landlord inspections are vital for ensuring your property is in the best possible condition. Not only will regular checks give you peace of mind, but they’ll also serve as a reminder to your tenant to keep the place looking good.
The benefits of a property inspection
As a landlord with one or multiple properties, you'll know it's not an easy job to keep track of the maintenance of your properties, especially if you aren't local or the issues are not reported by your tenants.
By conducting regular property inspections you can:
Check on any maintenance issues
Ensure your property is being treated properly by your tenants
Take a look at the overall living conditions of your tenant
Be aware of any illegal activities taking place
Avoid disputes with neighbours (if you choose to have a relationship with them).
Boost your relationship with your tenants
A typical property inspection checklist
Although every property inspection is different, there are some things that you should always look for. From the roof to the basement, you're looking for multiple issues including:
Damage beyond wear and tear (broken windows, stained carpets, etc.)
Damp and mould
Leaks
Condition of furniture and white goods
Excessive rubbish
Poorly maintained garden
Faulty smoke alarms/carbon monoxide detectors
State of the loft/attic
Signs or rodents/infestations
Property Inspection Laws
You can’t just turn up and inspect the property without permission, but there are laws in place which ensure regular inspections are conducted safely and legally.
Give your tenant as much notice as possible. Good practice is to give your tenants at least one week's notice (if it's not an emergency) and to also provide your inspection appointment in writing. Prior notice gives your tenants the time to clean the property and make it look immaculate by the time you arrive. Arrange to visit at a time that's convenient for both of you.
Educating your tenants about common household issues
Common issues such as damp and mould can also be avoided by educating tenants about how they can prevent this. Although the actions may seem straightforward, it’s important to reminds tenants of their responsibilities when maintaining the household.
An example of a common household issue is damp and mould. Research suggests that the average family produces 20 pints of moisture a day, and tenants have the ability to assist with reducing mould growth. This could be as simple as making sure the heating is on for less than an hour as it can cause moisture, or not over-ventilating by opening windows wide for longer than an hour.
While it may be common knowledge to some, providing basic guidelines to tenants could be crucial to 1. Reducing the possible health risks and 2. Reducing the likelihood of damage to your property.
Elliot Leigh Property Management
Landlords with properties on our Guaranteed Rent scheme will not only benefit from guaranteed monthly rent – our services go beyond this. Every landlord will have a dedicated property manager, plus benefit from regular inspections completed by our team - removing the inspection hassle from landlords.