Although renting out a rental property always comes with a certain level of risk, such as tenant damages that go beyond normal wear and tear, there are many available solutions to reduce the risk. As a landlord, you should consider including walk-through inspections in your tenancy procedures.
Before welcoming a tenant into your property, you can request they perform a walk-through inspection with you. This practice has shown to reduce rental property damage, so it’s advisable not to skip this task.
How to Conduct a Tenant Walk-through Inspection
Have an Inspection Form Ready
Make a list of all the rooms and spaces in the property. Leave blank spaces between each bullet point in which to write detailed notes.
Once all the rooms are listed, break them down into different components, such as walls, doors, windows, furniture, and appliances. Being detailed ensures you pay close attention to the actual state of each piece in your rental unit.
Create additional columns in which to indicate the move-in and move-out conditions, estimated cleaning fees, or approximate repair costs in case an item is damaged.
Once the form has been filled out, both the landlord and the tenant should sign it. This indicates that both of you are in agreement about the rental property’s state. After signing, write the date and provide your renter a copy of the form.
Inspect the Property with the Tenant
Schedule a joint property walk-through before the tenant settles into your unit. This helps both parties manage their expectations and build awareness of the actual property conditions. Doing this effectively may reduce potential disputes between a tenant and a landlord.
A joint property walk-through also provides both parties with sufficient time to talk about what they expect in terms of the general upkeep, including property cleanliness and repair costs.
Opt for a Simple Procedure
While walk-through inspections must be performed meticulously, it’s also important to keep them from becoming overly complicated. If a landlord gets too particular, the tenant could get anxious and opt out of the tenancy.
No rental property is flawless and a few imperfections here and there are acceptable. Avoid over-documenting your unit and keep the inspection from becoming too time-consuming. A comprehensive walk-through inspection can be completed in about 20 minutes.
Optimize Documentation through Photos and Videos
With accessible mobile devices that can record photos and videos, landlords can easily document the original condition of their rental space. Capture the total area of the room, then take close-up photos. Label, categorize, and back-up the pictures once finished.
With solid photos and videos in your record, it will be difficult for renters to claim that tenant damages existed before they became a resident.
Perform an Independent Property Inspection before the Tenant Arrives
Thoroughly check for stains, markings, and broken appliances. Test the home systems and ensure that everything is functional. If any issues arise, it’s best to learn about them before the tenant occupies the rental space. Informing the renter of these issues and taking care of them promptly helps cultivate trust and build a strong landlord-tenant relationship.
To complete a proper inspection, assess the water pressure by flushing the toilets. Switch on the air conditioners and heaters, monitoring for defects or sounds that signal something is amiss. Take time to open and close the blinds, windows, and doors to ensure that nothing is damaged. It’s best to be detailed to avoid dealing with tenant complaints or early breaking of leases.
Conducting a complete walk-through inspection also contributes to repair savings. Instead of spending money for costly fixes, you can use it to upgrade your rental unit. Note that you can only make deductions on a tenant’s security deposit if the damage is outside natural wear and tear.
Allow Enough Time for the Renter to Report Issues
It’s advisable to designate a grace period for renters to uncover and report property concerns. Three days is usually an acceptable grace period.
Even after conducting thorough inspections, issues may still arise. For instance, sometimes damage is discovered after running a certain appliance for a longer period of time than a couple of minutes or a few hours.
If an issue is reported, make sure to take note of it, document it, and take care of it promptly.
Familiarize Yourself with Landlord-Tenant Laws
Each state has its own set of laws and regulations that landlords must comply with. There are maximum amounts set for security deposits, specific procedures for refunding them, and what kinds of deductions may be made from them.
If tenant damages occur in your property, make sure to consult Missouri security deposit laws before making deductions to cover the repair costs.
Landlord-tenant laws also dictate each party’s right and responsibilities. Complaints, notices, and even evictions must be done in accordance with these procedures to protect yourself and your investment.
Final Thoughts
Partnering with a property management company can help protect your investment and improve your rental business. With years of experience, professional property management companies are able to attract high-quality renters and perform comprehensive walk-through inspections on your behalf.
If you’re seeking a trusted property manager, contact Young Management today!