Property inspections serve to distinct and important purposes. First, they allow you to check on your property and make sure it’s being well-maintained. You can document how it looks every time you inspect it, providing an accurate reflection of its condition at various points in the leasing process. Second, when you conduct an inspection while tenants are occupying the home, you can make sure they are following the terms of your lease.
Today, we’re discussing the two most important inspections you’ll conduct as a landlord: the move-in and move-out inspections. We’ll also share some other ways to ensure your home is in good shape.
Move-In Inspections: Documenting Property Condition
Before your tenant moves into the home, you need to have it inspected and its condition well-documented. We take detailed photographs of the interior and the exterior of your home. Every part of the property needs to be looked at and photographed. We include doors, floors, walls, ceilings, countertops, and appliances. This information helps us to identify damage after a tenant moves out. It also alerts us to any repairs that need to be made before the tenant moves in.
If you’re doing this on your own, be sure to save a copy of all your notes. Allow your tenants to add to them if they notice any problems or issues that were missed during your inspection.
Move-Out Inspections and Measuring Damage
Before you return a tenant’s security deposit, you need to conduct a full inspection of the property after they move out. At Castle Property Management, we do this within three days of the keys being returned to us. During this inspection, we’ll document the condition of the home and compare it to how the place looked before the tenant took possession. We’ll always do a thorough cleaning of the property and talk to you about any repairs that may be necessary. If we find tenant damage, we’ll withhold the repair costs from the security deposit and provide a detailed accounting for all parties who moved out of the property.
Additional Ways to Inspect Your Property
You may want to get inside your property at least once during the lease term. This will give you the opportunity to look for any unreported maintenance. You’ll also be able to enforce your lease by making sure none of its terms are being violated. If you see evidence of a dog and it’s a no-pet home, you’ll need to address it with your tenants. Check under sinks for leaks, look at the caulking in the showers, and examine the exterior for any clogs in gutters or debris on the roof. It’s also a good time to check in with your tenants and make sure all of their needs are being met. If you’re responsive and you show you care about the condition of your home, your tenants will likely stay longer.
When you have good relationships in place with your vendors and contractors, you can also ask them to keep an eye on things any time they’re inside the property making repairs.
We’re happy to help you with inspections at your Ashburn rental property. Feel free to contact us at Castle Property Management for more information.
