When you have a tenant living in your Barrie rental property, you want to leave that tenant alone to enjoy the property and their privacy. However, inspecting the property at certain periods of the tenancy is also important so you can check for maintenance issues and ensure the tenant is performing as expected.

Today, we’re sharing some best practices on how to effectively handle rental inspections and what you should be looking for when you’re inside the property.

Conducting a Move-in Inspection

Conduct a move-in inspection with your new tenant present. This will allow all parties to agree on the condition of the home. It will also give you the opportunity to show tenants what they need to know about the property. You can point out where the water heater is and how the window locks work.

Use a full form checklist as you’re going through the property with the tenant. Make a note of anything that needs to be repaired. Take pictures. Make sure your inspection report provides a thorough breakdown of each room. Look at every detail from window covers to paint condition. Note the carpets and check off that you’ve tested each appliance to make sure they work.

Conducting Annual Inspections

While the move-in inspection is important so you can document the condition of the property, an annual inspection is important for a couple of different reasons. First, you’ll again be looking for anything that needs to be repaired, replaced, or addressed. Your tenants should understand the importance of reporting maintenance needs immediately. But, there may be some problems that they haven’t noticed or they’ve hesitated to report. Check under sinks for signs of leaks or water damage. Make sure the appliances and systems are working. Test the electricity and the heating and cooling system. Look for any safety or health issues that may need attention, such as broken smoke detectors, damaged locks, or uneven stairs or steps.

The second reason you want to conduct an annual inspection is to make sure your tenants are following the terms of your rental contract and performing the way you expect them to. Look for signs of unauthorized pets or residents. Make sure the property is clean and in good condition.

Inspection Checklists and Action Items

Each inspection should include a checklist and a final inspection report, which needs to have pictures and other documentation. If you discover, during the course of the inspection, that work needs to be done, create an action item list and check things off as they are completed. Get in touch with vendors, contractors, and other professionals who can help you.

These inspections are important to the care of your property and to hold your tenants accountable. It’s important that they are done consistently, thoroughly, and with the documentation you need to support any decision you make about the tenancy.

We have a lot of experience with rental property inspections. If you have any questions about conducting them or you’d like more information about professional Barrie property management, please contact us at Bayshore Property Management.