Owners of rental properties have many responsibilities. The periodic inspection of tenant-occupied residences is of primary importance. There are many factors to consider when developing procedures for inspections and drafting a checklist. Among these are the age of the structure, previous experience, and the type of structure.
While many people view these necessary inspections as beneficial only to the owner, the process can be greatly improved when tenants understand how property inspections can help them. How tenants view routine inspections makes a significant difference in the effectiveness of the inspection process. When they view property inspections as interruptions of their daily lives or invasions of their privacy, tenants feel at odds with the building’s owners. When tenants feel they are working with their landlord toward a common goal of optimum property condition, the relationship is more rewarding for all parties.
Help tenants feel confident in themselves and you
Although landlords are seldom inside the property, tenants are performing daily property condition inspections. They will either feel appreciated for alerting managers of maintenance issues or they will begin to feel indifferent about things around the property that need attention.
They might think something along the lines of, “Well, they will find it when they do their periodic property inspection. It is not my problem; it’s theirs.” This can lead to substantial repair costs that could have been avoided with better communication between the tenants and property managers.
It is vital that landlords respond quickly and with an attitude of appreciation to tenants when residents report maintenance issues or needed repairs. The worst response is blaming tenants for property breakdowns and items that wear out due to normal use.
With some easy-to-use software programs like Property Inspect, property managers can anticipate when some repairs and equipment replacements will be due. This helps landlords better track expenses and find ways to reduce maintenance costs.
Periodic Inspection Checklist
Some tenants are better than others. By calling upon knowledge gained from past experience, property managers can create a periodic inspection checklist that will help distinguish the damage caused by occupants from normal wear that should be expected.
It is best to have a checklist that can be revised periodically. The form should be one that can be used while walking through the property for the inspection. A digital form can be more easily formatted and transferred. Property Inspect provides all the tools to take reports mobile and make revisions each visit.
Periodic property inspections are necessary. They should be a part of the normal routine for property owners and tenants without feeling like a burden for anyone. Be sure that tenants are aware of the inspection schedule for their residence and notified in advance before any inspectors enter their home.
