Rental property inspections are an important part of protecting the condition of your investment property. Without them, you risk running into deferred maintenance and other surprises. When you inspect, you get an idea of how your property looks and what might be necessary in terms of repairs, updates, or preventative maintenance.
You cannot simply show up to a rental property in Benicia while it’s occupied and take a look around. Tenants have a right to privacy and the quiet enjoyment of their home.
So, how often should you inspect, and when should those inspections take place?
We recommend the obvious inspections – right before move-in and right after move-out, and then we also recommend you schedule a maintenance walk-through with your tenants at some point during the course of the tenancy. Maybe you want to get inside the property halfway through the lease term. Or, you might prefer to take a look around just a few months after your tenants have moved in to make sure everything is functioning properly.
Here’s how you might want to break down rental inspections. We’re looking at frequency and purpose.
Move-In Inspections of Benicia Rental Properties
The move-in inspection should occur after you’ve already approved a tenant, signed the lease agreement, and settled on a move-in date. You’ll want to get inside a few days before that move-in date to make sure everything is working properly and ready for occupancy.
This inspection is also your opportunity to document the condition of your property. Take a lot of photos and detailed notes so you have a record of how this home looks before your tenants take possession.
Leave the move-in condition report with them after they’ve begun moving in. They can make their own notes or talk about any issues they’ve noticed while settling into their new home.
This is the same inspection report you will use at the move-out period, so it’s important that it’s detailed and accurate. If you’re going to claim that the tenants caused damage that goes beyond normal wear and tear, you’ll need precise documentation that shows there was no damage at the beginning of the tenancy.
Schedule a Mid-Lease Maintenance Walk Through
Mid-lease walk through inspections will allow you to get inside the property halfway through the lease period. This is where you should be checking for anything that doesn’t look right. You want to ensure your property is in good condition and your tenants are following the terms of the lease agreement.
Always provide enough notice before you show up, and use this as an opportunity to check in with your tenants and make sure everything is going well for them.
Look for leaks under sinks, potential electrical issues, and make sure the appliances are working. If you notice any problems or potential lease violations, address them with your tenants.
Your tenant does not have to be present in the home when you conduct this inspection, but it might make everyone feel more comfortable if they were there. So, be flexible with your scheduling. Show your tenants that you’re willing to make this as convenient as possible for them.
The lease agreement you and your residents sign should also reflect that this maintenance walk through will occur annually.
Move-Out Inspections and Benicia Tenants
Offer your tenants a pre-move out inspection after they’ve given notice to vacate and before they leave.
This is an excellent opportunity for you to talk with your tenant about what might need to be done in order for the security deposit to be returned in full. It also provides you with an opportunity to estimate how long it will take to turn your property over.
Not every tenant will take you up on this offer. You’re required by law to offer it, however, and when you send out your letter with move-out instructions, you should strongly encourage your tenants to have this inspection with you. It works well for them and for you.
After the tenant leaves, inspect the property to determine whether any damage was left behind. If it was, you’ll have to document it so you can lawfully deduct the cost of repairs or cleaning from the security deposit. Remember that you cannot deduct for wear and tear, which is normal and expected deterioration.
Documentation will be an important part of this inspection, because if you are withholding any money from the security deposit, you will need to provide an itemized list of what was kept and why.
What Are You Looking For?
During a rental inspection, it’s important to understand what you’re looking for.
And that usually depends on the inspection timing. During the move-in and move-out inspection, you’re documenting the condition of your property. During the walk-through while your tenant is in place, you might be checking up on cleanliness and condition.
Create a checklist and use it every time you inspect the property. This will ensure you’re able to compare how your property looks at each stage. It also lets your tenants have some input into how the property is evaluated and its condition reported.
We recommend inspecting the property when you can to ensure it’s in good condition, but not being a burden to your residents. Creating a good relationship with your renters is important for a lot of reasons. It contributes to a better rental experience and it makes communication easier.
So, don’t show up at the property every month. Don’t be a nuisance.
Instead, be a resource to your tenants and be respectful when you do need to get inside and inspect or walk through the home while they’re living there.
Remember that maintenance calls are a great way to take an informal look around, too. If you’re there to fix a window screen, you can make sure there aren’t any other issues that need attention.
Contact us at Krystle Properties if you have any questions about inspections or Benicia property management.
