Rental inspections are inherently stressful. There is an abundance of cleaning followed by an overwhelming worry that the landlord might find something wrong. Rental inspections can even be stressful for the landlord too. However, renters and landlords alike need to think about rental inspections in a different light.
Rather than being a pain, these inspections can prove to be an invaluable opportunity. Renters can raise concerns and receive validation for looking after their rental. Whereas landlords are afforded the opportunity to check on the condition and upkeep of their property. Realising the benefits of inspections can remove stress from the equation.
How to prepare for an inspection
When thinking about preparing a property for a rental inspection, a great place to start is the original property condition report. That way, renters know the condition that their landlord will be expecting the property to be in. This property report can also help landlords prepare for what to expect during the inspection.
Preparing for inspections can be seamless when you are proactive. If renters notice a problem, speak up. This could mean informing the landlord if the maintenance issue falls under their domain or fixing the issue themselves. This means that come inspection time, there are no surprises.
Landlords expect their properties to be clean and the best way to prepare to meet this expectation is by actually cleaning. Landlords will particularly look at the cleanliness of the kitchen and bathroom whilst also checking on the condition of the carpets and garden. Therefore, before the inspection, clean these areas with a thorough hand. This will ensure that tenants have done the right thing, helping landlords give them a pass for the inspection.
Once it is clear what is expected of tenants and landlords during the inspection process, there is no reason to stress, as each party knows their roles.
Points to remember
A great eliminator of inspection related stress is knowing when to expect the inspections. It is also important to note that landlords must give tenants a minimum of 48 hours notice before completing a rental inspection.
Tenant matters
Eliminate stress by compiling a checklist of activities to complete in order to pass an inspection. Important points to include are:
- Check general condition and cleanliness.
- Monitor wet areas for mould and potential water damage.
- Check health and tidiness of the garden, trees and lawn.
- Inspect the exhaust fans and clean accordingly.
- Make sure that the oven is in good working order and meets a standard of general cleanliness.
Landlord matters
Rather than inspecting a property aimlessly, landlords should create a checklist of things to look out for. If the renters meet these requirements, landlords will then know for sure that the property is being looked after. Requirements could include:
- Test that all doors and windows freely open, close and lock.
- Check for any signs of leaky taps or pipes.
- Ensure that all water flows freely.
- Examine the condition of the weatherboards, bricks or tiles for signs of cracks or deterioration.
- Observe areas of the house for indicators of dampness or wood rot.
- Check the hot and cold water supply in terms of leaks, temperature and pressure.
Why is an inspection necessary
Rental inspections are a necessary part of the renting process. This is due to the fact that both renters and landlords need to be up to date on the state of the property in order to avoid issues down the line.
Rental inspections can be good news for both landlords and tenants. Firstly, for landlords, it provides a golden opportunity to personally evaluate the state of the property. By conducting inspections, landlords can ensure that everything is in working order, giving them peace of mind. It can also be used as an opportunity to nip issues in the bud before they become major and/or costly problems.
Secondly, for tenants, inspections are an ideal time to make any concerns heard. This means that instead of trying to convince a landlord that a property needs maintenance issues repaired, the landlord can see for themselves what needs to be fixed.
Rental inspections provide an exchange of information that helps both landlords and tenants towards keeping a property in good working order.
LJ Hooker property managers can help
Rental inspections do not have to add stress to the lives of tenants and landlords. Instead, they can be treated as an opportunity to make sure that the property is in the best condition it can be. A circumstance that is mutually beneficial for both tenants and landlords. The key to eliminating the stress and thus getting the most out of rental inspections is being prepared. For renters this means taking the time to clean the house while for landlords this means compiling a list of things they want to check whilst in the property.
Another way for landlords to reduce the stress around inspections is to hire a professional property manager. The value of a property manager can be found throughout the entire rental property process. Property managers can do everything from advertising a property and finding the appropriate tenants to managing the condition report process and inspecting the property on a regular basis. Therefore, a LJ Hooker property manager can inform tenants about how best to maintain the property while also ensuring that the landlord’s property is being properly looked after.
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