Importance of Routine Inspections in Property Management

The Importance of Routine Inspections in Property Management

Posted September 21, 2015

One of the most common jobs of a property manager or landlord is conducting routine inspections. These are usually conducted every 3 to 6 months to make sure the property is still in a good state of repair with no suspicious or illegal activity going on. This is frequently enough to catch potential maintenance issues early, but also far enough apart that you do not become a nuisance to your tenants.

During these inspections you should be looking for issues the tenant has caused as well as issues you are responsible for. It’s best to have the tenant present during the inspection to explain new damages and witness any issues that you make note of.

Here are some things to look out for during your next inspection.

Maintenance Issues

All properties develop maintenance issues over time, but catching them early makes it less likely you will need to make drastic repairs later on. Look for things like leaky faucets, loose floorboards or carpeting, loose siding and shingles, pests, and drainage issues. If you notice these issues or others, be prompt in making repairs.

Damages

During a routine inspection you should also take note of any damage that was not present during the move-in inspection. This can range from chipped paint on the walls to doors that have been taken off of their hinges to holes in the flooring. Some of these may be the tenant’s fault, while others may be your responsibility. Ask the tenant to explain each issue as you notice it, and if necessary, set up an arrangement with them to pay for the damage.

Lease Violations

All tenants should have signed a rental agreement before being given keys to the property, but sometimes tenants don’t quite adhere to their side of the bargain. Pets that were not allowed in the lease, extra tenants, and illegal substances are all things to look out for.

Check in With Tenants

After you’ve inspected the property, ask your tenant if there’s anything you’ve missed, or if there are any complaints they have with the property management company or the landlord. Your tenants are the ones in the property day after day, so chances are they’ll have noticed some maintenance issues that you might not. This can also alert you to potential communication issues between parties. If you own adjacent properties or units, you may want to ask if they’ve noticed anything strange. Sometimes this can help alert you to issues you may not have caught when you inspected the other units.

For more questions about conducting routine inspections, or to learn more about the services RPM Evolve offers, give us a call at 480-RENTALS, or 602-368-5730.