7 Reasons For Regular Property Inspections
Apart from the obvious entry and exit inspections, regular mid term inspections are extremely important to make sure property is being looked after and treated with respect. Inspections can typically be performed at six month intervals but can often be undertaken quarterly if required.
A property owner might want more regular inspections if the tenant is new, then may make them less frequent as confidence builds. On the other hand; if inspection results are poor, it is good practice to perform more frequent checks to make sure tenants comply.
Here are seven reasons for regular property inspections.
1. Spot Illegal Activities
Most tenants are law abiding citizens, but unfortunately not all of them will be. The last thing you want is for your property to be used for illegal purposes such as cannabis farms or storage for stolen goods. We have all seen stories of modern day slavery where many people are crammed into a single property and used for cheap labour.
2. Check for subletting
Before a tenant can sublet a home, they must have written consent from the landlord. Some social housing tenants may also be committing a criminal offence by subletting so it is essential to perform mid term inspections to avoid things getting complicated further down the line.
3. Checking for pets
Most rental properties have a strict ‘No pets’ policy and tenants agree to this before moving in. These policies will often deter pet owners, but every now and again a tenant will think the rules don’t apply to them and will have Doris the cat or Boris the bull terrier moved in before the ink is dry on the lease agreement.
We have all heard stories of pets being moved out on the day of inspection, or being locked in cupboards in the hope that they won’t be discovered, but rules are rules.
4. Checking for damage
Probably the most obvious reason for property inspection, would be to check for damage. Wear and tear is one thing, but damage to a property can become an extremely expensive affair running into thousands of pounds. Be aware of rearranged furniture (especially in odd ways) as this can often be the way a tenant will try to conceal damage.
5. Checking for maintenance and repairs required
Not only is it good for the relationship between you and your tenant, keeping up maintenance and repairs on your property as they arise is good practice and easier to afford in small doses. Allowing them to accumulate to a point where it's just not possible to do everything at once is never good practice.
6. Condition of the garden
Gardens can often be the first area to get out of hand on any property. Uncut grass, weeds, and rubbish not properly disposed of can easily become a problem for you and can often lead to complaints from neighbours. This is one area that should be dealt with straight away.
7. Relationship building
As long as inspections are not carried-out that often it becomes an annoyance, a regular inspection can be a chance to build a good relationship with your tenant. Make it about them and ask how they are, how the property is suiting them. If they are a good tenant, it's worth going the extra mile to make sure they stay.
Conclusion
These are just some of the reasons for regular property inspections but there are many more. Just like a car has a yearly inspection to make sure it is roadworthy, a property inspection is essential to make sure the property owner and the tenant are happy with their arrangement.
At Property Exposure we strive to strike a balance between making sure your tenants comply with your rules, and making them feel like valued customers. Our inspection team is here to represent your agency. Get in touch today to see how we can help your business run more efficiently by freeing up staff to do more crucial tasks while we take care of your inspections.