A Guide to Rental Property Inspections
                     A Guide to  
Rental 
Property  
Inspections
Property inspections often scare people because they live under a common belief that 
with every  inspection, they have to shell out a lot of money to get expensive repairs 
done or to improve the interiors.  But this is something you would not want to do. So, 
one of the smartest things you will do to keep the  costs down is to get proactive 
property inspections done.
Regular or alternate property inspections can help in keeping repairs sorted. Through 
regular inspections,  maintenance issues, and warning signs get sorted in time before 
these turn into big, expensive issues.
Also, if you want to nip the issue in the bud, talk to your tenants openly about it. Open 
communication will  safeguard the condition of your rentals and will even keep your 
tenants around for the long-term.
This blog will take you through the importance of timely property inspections. How 
it saves investors  (your) money, how to use routine inspections etc.
How Inspections Save You Money?
No one would like to waste their hard-earned money. So, as an investor, 
whether you work  with a property manager or you take a DIY approach (Do-
It-Yourself), keeping tabs on your  rental property will save you enough 
dollars.
This is because routine inspections are not just conducted to keep your 
property tidy. But it  gives you a chance to pick up big or small maintenance 
issues.
For instance, if you find a leaky tap in the bathroom, you can book a plumber 
as early as  possible. In early stage, you may have to spend only $20 or little 
more. In case you do not  spot the issue at a right time, it may turn out to be 
a big problem later on. Also, you may have  to spend more handling a big 
trouble.
Here’s what one of our property managers have to say, “Property maintenance is a 
game of  time management. The longer repairs take, the more irritable a tenant gets. Also, the 
situation has a  tendency to get worse. For tenants, it is paramount to get things fixed on 
time because if it takes too  long, it can disrupt their life.”
How Often Routine Property Inspections  
Should Be Conducted?
Even though it is your property and you need to be proactive, remember to 
respect your  tenant’s privacy. Conducting frequent inspections does not 
mean you visit your property  anytime you want. You will have to inform the 
tenant prior to making a visit for conducting  inspections.
Here’s what you should know when it comes to inspections and repairs:
You can only conduct routine inspections up to four times a year. You 
need to give your  tenants at least seven days written notice before 
making a visit.
For non-urgent repairs, you can access your property as and when required. 
Also, you will  need to give your tenants at least two days' notice.
Property Inspection Checklist: Issues to 
Look  For
While booking routine inspection is important, these are helpful only if you 
know exactly  what to look for during the visit.
Also, we know that every property is different. So, a checklist that fits in one 
size will not  take into account the maintenance needs of your investment 
property.
So, let us see what maintenance issues should you be watching out during the 
inspections.  Let us take you through the most common maintenance issues 
to look out for in our  property inspection checklist:
Malfunctioning Smoke Detectors
While it is recommended to book a professional annual smoke  alarm inspection, it 
is also worth checking if these alarms are  working properly during property 
inspections or not.
Any Signs of Dampness
Check walls, window frames, ceilings, and wet rooms if there is  any moisture build-
up, condensation, musty odours, or even  visible mould patches. In case you spot a 
problem, act swiftly.
Cracks or Uneven Floors
While some small cracks are unavoidable, larger cracks above 
doorways, floorings, or  even sagging ceilings can indicate there is a 
bigger structural problem. Anything that  seems big must be addressed 
immediately. If you spot any of the above issues, call in a  building 
inspector who will be able to resolve such structural issues before they 
turn  bigger.
Loose or Rusting Balcony Rails
If your balcony has loose handrails or signs of rust, close the access to 
the area  immediately and book in a licensed builder to inspect the 
issue. As an owner, it is your  responsibility to ensure that these issues 
are inspected regularly and maintained  properly.
Leaky Taps or Other Water Related Issues
Not only are leaky taps a major issue for your tenants, they also lead 
to moisture  build-up, encourage moulds to grow, and waste up to 
20,000 L of water annually.  So, make sure you check all the taps in 
your property and book in a plumber if there  are any leaking tap.
Exhaust Fans
If the electric appliances are dysfunctional. For example, if you 
notice your  bathroom and laundry exhaust fans are leaky, or 
leaving wet areas filled with  moisture and humidity, it is better 
to get those replaced or repaired.
Signs of Termite Damage
If the property’s doors or windows are stiff and you are not able to open or close it properly. If on 
opening or closing the  doors and windows, hollow sound is heard, it is a sign of presence of 
termites. If there are any signs of termites, book a  professional termite inspection and get the issue 
treated as soon as possible.
The key is to get the inspections and repairs right. Have a clear list of potential problems that you are 
proactively looking  forward to. That is when working with the right property manager comes in handy. 
The property managers are experienced  professionals who use their expertise to catch potential 
maintenance issues before they turn into long-term costly issues.
GET IN TOUCH
1 Raphael St, Hallam VIC 3803
047 637 2002
[email protected]
Content Resource:
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