How Often Should You Schedule Rental Property Inspections?

A big part of owning rental properties is inspecting them before, during, and after a tenant lives there. Periodic rental property inspections help landlords assess potential maintenance issues or damages and ensure the property is well-maintained. Most landlords perform move-out, move-in, and seasonal inspections to ensure their properties are in good condition. Today, we’ll discuss why rental property inspections are necessary and how often to schedule them. 

Contents of This Article: 

• What Is a Rental Property Inspection? 
• Types of Rental Property Inspections
• How Often Should You Schedule Inspections?
• Let PPM Help Protect Your Rental Property

What Are Rental Property Inspections?

Rental property inspections are regular check-ups that landlords or Northern Virginia property managers perform to ensure each rental unit is safe, well-maintained, and in good condition. Regular inspections help catch any potential issues early on, ensure tenants are following lease rules, and protect the property’s value. 

Here are some of the main reasons landlords conduct rental property inspections. 

1. Identify Maintenance Issues Early
2. Ensure Lease Compliance
3. Check for Property Damage
4. Ensure Safety and Habitability
5. Document Property Condition
6. Prevent Illegal Activity

Identify Maintenance Issues Early

Routine inspections help landlords spot minor issues like leaks, broken fixtures, or pest problems before they turn into more expensive repairs. This helps maintain the property’s overall condition and value and mitigates tenant complaints down the line. 

Ensure Lease Compliance

Inspections help confirm that tenants are following the terms of their lease. This may include checking for unauthorized pets, additional occupants, or improper use of the property. If a tenant isn’t following lease rules during one of these inspections, it’s crucial to address any concerns immediately. 

Check for Property Damage

Normal wear and tear is expected in a rental property over time. However, excessive damage is not. Routine inspections allow landlords to identify and track any damage caused by tenants so they can address it before it gets worse. 

Ensure Safety and Habitability

A safe and livable environment isn’t just important–it’s required by law. That said, inspections help verify that safety equipment, like smoke detectors, is in working order and that the unit meets local habitability standards. 

Document Property Condition

Keeping a record of the property’s condition during each inspection is crucial.

This documentation can help protect landlords in the event of disputes. For example, photos and written reports can be used to support claims during move-out or legal proceedings. 

Prevent Illegal Activity

Regular check-ins can help avoid illegal activity such as drug use, unapproved subletting, or excessive hoarding. If tenants know that the property is regularly being monitored, it may reduce the chances of them breaking lease terms and conditions.

Types of Rental Property Inspections

There are several different types of rental property inspections that landlords can perform, including the following. 

1. Move-In Inspection- These types of inspections are done before a tenant moves in and include a checklist and photos of the property. The point is to document the property’s condition to avoid potential disputes later on.
2. Move-Out Inspection- Move-out inspections are conducted after a tenant moves out and compare the current condition to the move-in report. It’s important because it helps determine if any damage exceeds normal wear and tear. 
3. Routine or Seasonal Inspection- Routine or seasonal inspections happen every 3 to 6 months to help ensure the tenant is maintaining the property. Landlords or property managers will check for maintenance issues like leaks, pests, or unauthorized occupants.
4. Drive-By Inspection- These are quick exterior property inspections, often done without notice. They confirm that the outside looks well-kept and there are no obvious problems.
5. Maintenance Inspection- Maintenance inspections are conducted when a tenant reports an issue, like a plumbing or HVAC problem. These types of inspections may be done on short notice, depending on the severity of the issue. 

How Often Should You Schedule Inspections?

How often you inspect a rental property depends on the local laws, lease terms, and your management style. However, consistency is key. That said, it’s important to remember that in Northern Virginia, landlords must provide proper notice (typically 24 to 48 hours) before entering a rental unit for non-emergency reasons.

Let PPM Help Protect Your Rental Property

Rental property inspections are crucial for landlords and property managers to ensure properties are well-maintained and tenants are comfortable. It’s important to perform different types of inspections, including move-in and move-out, routine or seasonal, drive-by, and emergency.

If you’re looking for a management company to handle inspections, maintenance, and tenant relations, look no further than PPM. Professional Property Management in Northern Virginia has a team of experts to help your rental business succeed. Contact us today to learn more about our wide range of rental management services.