Why Periodic Property Inspections Are Priceless
As a landlord, it is critical that you find the happy medium between overbearing and obsessive and completely hands-off. You want to make sure that your property is being well taken care of, but you don’t want to infringe on the privacy of your tenants. Your tenants are responsible adults, (hopefully,) and most do not need to be micromanaged to ensure that they treat their rental property with respect. However, it is in your best interest as a landlord to make sure there are eyes and ears on the property regularly. Whether you decide to conduct these periodic property inspections or hire a Murrieta property management company (or another property manager in your area) to do it, periodic property inspections need to be done. These inspections can help save you money, and catch small issues before they turn into significant problems.
What Is A Periodic Property Inspection?
A periodic property inspection is a good way for landlords and property managers to keep an eye on a property. It gives a landlord accurate insight on the condition of the property. These inspections are usually performed while the tenant is present so that any issues can be addressed on site. Periodic property inspections should be conducted every 3 to 6 months and can help you identify which common rental property repairs that you need to take care of and which maintenance issues are up to the tenant.
Do’s and Don’ts For Periodic Property Inspections
Performing this type of routine inspection means going into the tenant’s personal space. For this reason, there are specific guidelines that should be followed to ensure the inspection is as comfortable and productive as possible.
Do give your tenant plenty of notice about the inspection.
Be flexible and your schedule and try to find a time that works for them. There are strict laws in place regarding when a landlord can and cannot enter a rental property. If you’re unsure about the rules when it comes to entering a property, you may want to discuss the legalities with an attorney.
Don’t take pictures of people or personal items.
If there are maintenance issues that need to be addressed, you are allowed to snap a photo of the damage. However, when it comes to tenant privacy, be careful not to photograph their children, their pets, or even some of their valuable items like computers and flat-screen TVs.
Do give a legitimate reason as to why you are performing this periodic property inspection.
If it is just part of your routine home maintenance schedule, let the tenant know this. This could ease a lot of worries and stress on their end. If you are performing this property inspection because you have a feeling that there is damage to the home, be honest about this as well. The more transparent communication you can have with your tenant, the better the inspection will go.
Don’t get into an altercation or confrontation.
Tenants may be a little uneasy about you entering their private space, and things could get tense. Try to remain calm and neutral and respect their boundaries and privacy. If they seem upset or argumentative, agree to come back another time. Do not participate and yelling or shouting or accusatory statements, as this could be used against you should the tenant decide to press charges.
Benefits Of Periodic Property Inspections
It is no surprise why so many seasoned landlords and property managers rely on periodic property inspections to keep their property safe, their tenants happy, and they’re rental income regulated.
Asset Protection
Performing regularly-scheduled periodic property inspections help with asset protection. When tenants know upfront that you will be performing these routine inspections, they are more likely to treat the property with care and respect. This reduces the repairs and upgrades you will have to complete on the home over time. Some tenants who are uncomfortable with having strangers in their home fail to report small issues, such as leaking pipes or cracks in the walls. These minor issues, undocumented and unnoticed, can lead to more significant problems. Periodic property inspections help you catch these problems and protect your investment.
Reduces Long-Term Vacancies
Another reason why these types of inspections are so important is that it reduces long-term vacancies. During these regularly scheduled inspections, you can address maintenance issues before they become a problem. When a renter moves out, you will not be surprised by unchecked maintenance issues that will take time and money to fix before the home is rent ready again. Preventive maintenance on a home throughout the course of the tenants’ time there will make it easier to clean up, perform a few repairs, and get the house ready for the next tenant. When a property is rent-ready for the next tenant, you can avoid extended vacancies and interruptions in cash flow.
Reduces Safety Risks
When a tenant gets hurt in a property and presses charges against a landlord, one of the most common responses from the landlord is, “I wish I would have known!” Many times, tenants are hurt in the property due to maintenance issues that could have been easily fixed if the landlord had known about them. Periodic property inspections help to ensure that the home is livable and safe, and reduces the chances of a tenant getting hurt in the house.
Why Property Managers Rely On Property Inspections
It is clear to see why so many season landlords have a strict, non-negotiable policy regarding periodic property inspections. They know that these regularly scheduled inspections help protect their property, protect their tenants, and protect their passive income. If you don’t live close enough to your rental property to conduct these inspections regularly, (or just don’t have the time to do it correctly and consistently), it is highly recommended to hire a Temecula property management company (or another property manager near you) to do it for you.
Benefit National is a full-service property management company serving Riverside and San Diego counties. We understand the importance of a comprehensive property inspection and can conduct these periodic reviews on your behalf as well as take care of the all important move-in/move-out inspections. Give us a call today to learn more about all of the different ways we can take care of your Temecula or Murrieta area investment property.
