Making inspections "routine."

Published on: Oct 28, 2020

Inspections are important for several reasons. One being because the owner of a property needs assurance that their valuable asset is being looked after. In addition to that, it is an opportunity to look for maintenance issues or other problems that might arise in the future and can be rectified before become a big issue. And that's good for the tenant.

Routine inspections are usually carried out every three months, and the property manager will give tenants advice about the day and time window for the assessment to occur. Yes, you can be present for the inspection if you want, but you don't have to be. To ensure your routine inspection goes smoothly, you can undertake a little routine of your own before inspection day.

The kinds of things a property manager will check include:
* The lawn, gardens, and outside areas are being maintained;
* There are no pets in the property other than those specified in the rental agreement;
* Any damage to the property;
* Any maintenance issues that need attention;
* The property is generally clean and tidy; and
* The number of people living there does not exceed what was recorded in the rental agreement.

An excellent rental agency is always looking for good tenants, so looking after the property well can make life easier in future rental applications. It pays to keep a good relationship with the property manager, and a good relationship means good communication.

Keep your property manager up to date with any changes to your contact details. This can avoid miscommunication in the future. It also pays to communicate any maintenance or repair issues, especially before a routine inspection, so the property manager can look at the problem first hand while they are there.

You can run through this quick checklist to identify any issues and get the home ready for inspection:
* Do all the power points work?
* Do all light switches/bulbs work?
* Do all the handles and locks on doors and windows work?
* Are there any cracks in the walls?
* Is there any evidence of rising damp or water leaks?
* Are there any leaking taps or plumbing?
* Is the place generally clean?
* Is the toilet clean?
* Are there any cobwebs that need removing?
* Are the oven, microwave, and fridge clean (if these come with the house)?
If you have a dog (assuming a dog is permitted on the rental agreement), keep it secured during the routine inspection.

Running through this checklist each time you receive a notice about an inspection is an excellent routine to get into. The important thing is to use this opportunity to maintain communication and a good relationship with the property manager.