Performing a rental property inspection for your Mesa rental property is an essential part of being a landlord.
Your rental property is a valuable physical asset and should be treated as such. Inspecting it helps ensure that it’s well-maintained, identifies any needed repairs, and, importantly, protects the interests of both landlords and tenants.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to conduct a rental property inspection:
Before the Rental Property Inspection
Schedule the Inspection: Contact the tenant to schedule a mutually convenient time for the inspection. Most laws require landlords to provide proper notice to tenants, usually 24-48 hours in advance.
Gather Inspection Tools: Bring necessary tools and equipment, such as a clipboard, checklist, camera, measuring tape, flashlight, and any required maintenance tools.
Notify Tenants: Send a written notice to the tenant, as required by law, stating the date, time, and purpose of the inspection.
It’s important to make the tenant feel comfortable about the inspection. You don’t want them to be defensive or hide potential maintenance issues. Also, be careful about scheduling too many inspections. It could become an invasion of privacy issue.
During the Property Inspection
Checklist Preparation: Create a detailed rental property inspection checklist to ensure you cover all essential areas and items. This checklist can vary but typically includes the following:
- Structural elements (e.g., walls, floors, ceilings)
- Appliances (e.g., stove, refrigerator)
- Plumbing (e.g., faucets, pipes)
- Electrical systems (e.g., outlets, lighting)
- Safety features (e.g., smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors)
- Doors and windows
- Walls and paint
- Flooring
- Kitchen and bathroom fixtures
- General cleanliness and any specific concerns
Document Condition: Document the condition of each area and item. Make notes on any damages, wear and tear, or needed repairs. Take clear photographs as evidence.
Safety Check: Ensure that safety features such as smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning correctly.
Tenant Feedback: During the inspection, allow the tenant to point out any issues they've noticed or concerns they may have.
Communication: Maintain clear and respectful communication with the tenant throughout the inspection.
After the Rental Property Inspection:
Review and Confirm Findings: After the inspection, review your notes and photographs to confirm your findings.
Maintenance and Repairs: Determine which issues require immediate maintenance or repairs, and schedule them promptly. Communicate with the tenant about any work that will be done.
Provide Feedback: If the tenant has addressed any concerns during the inspection, provide feedback and clarify any tenant responsibilities for maintenance or repairs.
Documentation: Prepare a formal report or summary of the inspection findings, including any required maintenance or repairs. Keep a copy for your records and provide one to the tenant.
The last one is essential. As a rental property owner, it’s important to document everything. Always have a paper trail you can refer to in case anything comes up.
Why Should I Inspect My Rental Property?
In addition to the reasons mentioned above, there are other reasons to inspect your rental property. These include some things not directly related to the condition of the property.
- Legal Compliance: Property inspections help ensure your property complies with local housing codes and regulations. This can protect you from potential legal issues or fines.
- Tenant Accountability: Regular inspections communicate to tenants that you take the property's condition seriously. It can encourage them to maintain the property and report any issues promptly.
- Early Issue Detection: Identifying and addressing issues early can prevent inconveniences for tenants and lead to better tenant retention.
- Preventive Maintenance: Regular inspections are also a good time to perform preventive maintenance.
- Insurance Requirements: Your insurance policy may require regular property inspections to maintain coverage.
- Peace of Mind: For both landlords and tenants, inspections offer peace of mind, knowing that the property is well-maintained and in good condition.
Property inspections are a proactive approach to maintaining the quality and safety of your rental property, protecting your investment, complying with legal requirements, and building positive landlord-tenant relationships.
Rental Property Inspections in Mesa, AZ
Inspecting your rental property can seem intimidating, at first. It’s a long list of things to check and you might worry about missing something. Plus, depending on your relationship with your tenant, it might not be the most comfortable situation.
That’s why many property owners in Mesa work with a property management company. A property manager will perform the rental property inspections for you with a keen eye for any possible issues. They’ll also handle all the tenant communication and meticulously document everything.
At Stratton Vantage Property Management, we’ve been property managers in Mesa for over a decade. We’ve performed hundreds of inspections and know what to look for and how to fix it quickly and at a great price.
Contact us today to learn more about our property management in Mesa, AZ.
Want to keep learning about property management in Mesa, AZ? Check out this blog about essential terms every rental property owner should know.
