Were you aware that the U.S. rental housing space serves 44 million households?

Depending on which part of the country or which communities you own rental properties in, you may find more demand than supply. That’s a plus for you as a landlord, but that doesn’t mean you can rest on your laurels.

You’ll want to stay on your toes to ensure your rental properties stay in tip-top shape. One way you can do so is by conducting regular inspections.

What is a rental property inspection? Keep reading to learn about five rental property inspections every landlord should know.

1. Move-in Inspection

Before tenants take possession of rental units, you’ll want to do walk-throughs with them. Take a checklist with you and go room to room with the tenants to verify the condition the rental units are in before they move in.

Don’t overlook this step. If the tenants leave after their leases are up, you’ll need to check over the units to ensure they’re in good shape. If there’s damage, you can prove it by referring to the move-in inspection report.

2. Drive-by Inspection

Another necessary rent property inspection is what’s called a drive-by inspection. It’s what happens when you drive by one of your rental property locations to visually assess the property’s exterior.

While you’ll need to give advance notice to a tenant before conducting an in-house inspection, you can do a drive-by inspection without giving such notice.

Why might you conduct such an inspection? If you think the tenant is breaking the lease agreement (such as by living in the unit with someone not on the lease) you might check to see if another car is in the driveway.

3. Quarterly Inspection

It’s also a good idea to conduct a quarterly or seasonal inspection. If you require that your rental units be pet-free, you might want to check in occasionally.

The same thing holds for if you think an unauthorized person might be living in one of your units. Before doing inspections within the units, you’ll need to give the tenant proper notice. You can’t just show up unannounced.

If you find that tenants tend to get defensive about inspections, explain the importance of property inspection. Do this before the tenant signs the lease.

4. Move-Out Inspections

You’ll also need to do move-out inspections whenever one of your tenants relocates. Do such inspections the very day your tenants vacate. You’ll want to refer to the move-in checklists to see if there’s any damage left behind.

If there is damage, you’ll likely deduct money from the tenants’ security deposits. 

5. Change of Property Manager Inspection

If you decide to switch property managers, you might want to get an inspection done beforehand. You and the property manager will get an up-to-date look at the condition of your rental properties.

Are you interested in finding a reputable property manager? Look here.

If You’re a Landlord, You Need Property Inspections

If you own one or more rental properties, you need property inspections. It’s about protecting your tenants and your business interests. So, when an inspection is called for, don’t drag your feet. Get it done.

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