Managing and renting out a property out is a great source of income and one of the best investment options on the market. If this is something that interests you, you will want to get in the habit of performing the right procedures from the start with rental property inspections.There are many factors to keep in mind when it comes to improving the home and making the most of your property. One key point is to inspect your homes and check out any issues relating to them. It would even be a good idea to create a checklist of each entity of your property that you need to examine, such as the HVAC system, electrical system, plumbing, the interior, and the exterior of your house, etc. In all, there are four basic inspections that you absolutely must carry out for your rental property.
Move-In Inspections
Before a tenant moves in, inspect the property and make sure everything is in working order. It would be wise to make a checklist of things to look over before a new tenant arrives to ensure you document the conditions before they begin moving in. This means taking down a list of all appliances in the home and the conditions they are in, complete with pictures. It is essential to be meticulous with this, and even more so if you have multiple properties to inspect.
Move-Out Inspections
Of all times to be meticulous, this is where it pays off in documenting all the critical areas. If you find any suspicious damage, you can go back to your previous records to make sure you have sufficient evidence to prove any damages might have been done between the move-in check and the move-out check. If you furnished the house, make sure all the furniture and appliances are in good condition. If the tenants furnished the house, see that it is properly cleared out and there is no damage left behind. If there is damage, you can take the cost out of the security deposit to cover the charges. Make sure you document everything and take pictures, and that way you might compare the move-in and move-out inspection to spot any differences and catch if anything was damaged during the tenant’s stay. This is crucial in making sure you have property in the condition you rented it in and prepared for when the next tenants might be ready to move in.
Drive-By Inspections
Drive-by inspections are just like they sound; if you’re running errands nearby, just drive by your property to see how well it looks from the outside. It’s recommended that if you plan on dropping by to see the inside, you notify your tenants before visiting. Otherwise this is a great way of checking up on the condition of the home and spotting anything that might need fixing. These visits are helpful in seeing how your property is used on a daily basis and not just when things need to be thoroughly cleaned.
Seasonal Inspections
Certain inspections are pertinent to certain times of the year, and in order to make sure your property is in the best possible condition, carry out seasonal inspections as well. These are important because the property is going to be directly impacted by the changing seasons. This means you have to be aware of things like carpet cleaning, blocked drains, and leaky pipes. If you have a hard time meeting the demands of property maintenance and enforcement, you can contact property management services for additional help and professional advice. You will want to address any outstanding issues before they deteriorate and you end up spending more in replacements than you would have on repairs. You want to ensure that these inspections are conducted in the best possible way to properly maintain the home. There are many factors that play a part in the success of your investment, and it is a long-term return to make the most of this moving forward as a professional landlord so that you can protect your properties and keep your tenants’ best interest in mind.
