California City Landlord's Guide to Conducting Rental Property Inspections

The most important inspections you’ll conduct are those before a tenant moves in and after a tenant moves out. These inspections will document the condition of your home, and they should include detailed pictures and notes. Before your tenant moves in, conduct a complete inspection of the property. Take pictures of everything; doors, windows, floors, appliances, plumbing fixtures, and the yard. You’ll do the same thing when a tenant moves out, and then you’ll compare the move-in inspection report to the move-out inspection report. This will help you determine whether any money needs to be withheld from the security deposit to pay for damage. The tenant won’t be able to dispute a charge when you have photos that show a clear difference at move-in and move-out. 

Tenants don’t always report the repairs that are needed at your property. They might think that the problem is too minor, or they simply might not notice that something isn’t working properly. That’s why it’s so important for landlords to get inside the property at least once during a tenancy to take a look around and make sure there isn’t any work that’s needed. During this inspection, you should check all the systems, functions, and appliances in the house. Look under sinks for signs of leaks. Check the roof for any branches, leaves, or debris that might cause problems. Look at the gutters and if they’re clogged, schedule a time to have them cleaned out. Talk to your tenants about any problems or oddities that they’ve notices. If you see repairs or replacements that are necessary, schedule the work right away. Small maintenance problems rarely get better with age. They only get more complicated and expensive, so take care of them right away. 

While you’re inside looking for maintenance concerns, you should also take the time to make sure your tenants are following the terms of your rental agreement. If your tenant didn’t apply for the home with pets, you shouldn’t see dog beds and cat bowls. Make sure that there aren’t additional people living there who are not on the lease and who have not been screened. If the tenant is responsible for things like yard maintenance and changing the air filters, make sure these things are being done. If you notice a lease violation, put the issue in writing and make sure to address it with the tenant right away.

Conducting rental property inspections is all about detail. Take pictures, make notes, and be sure to stay on top of the way your property is being cared for by your tenants. If you’d like some help with this, contact us at JBL & Associates, and we’ll tell you what we do to inspect as your California City property managers.