Property inspections are not exactly the sexiest part of property management. However, they are extremely important. Maybe that is why so many property owners outsource this work to inspection professionals.
In fact, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be a 10% growth in professional property inspectors by 2026. That means there will be more than 110,000 property inspectors in the United States!
Of course, there is a reason that there are whole professions dedicated to property inspections. The property inspection process can be complicated. It can take significant study to learn how to do it as effectively as possible.
So how can you conduct property inspection as well as possible? Read on to learn all about some of the most important tips to keep in mind when performing property inspections!
1. Make Sure to Give Notice
In general, it is important to give notice before you come to inspect a rental property. In most cases, the contract will designate when an exit inspection will occur. However, it is always good to remind the tenant when you will be coming.
This is especially important if you are coming to inspect possible rental damage rather than just to examine normal wear and tear.
2. Ask a Tenant to Be at Home
Whenever possible, it is best if the tenant is present when you perform an inspection. This can make the process go more smoothly in a few different ways.
First, if you find any rental damage, then you can discuss it with the tenant. You can reiterate that they will have to pay for any damage out of their security deposit.
It is also a good idea to bring documents that your tenant can sign. The right document can let your tenants acknowledge when they have caused property damage. That way, you will be legally protected if they later decide to contest it when you use their security deposit to pay for repairs.
3. Be Transparent With Tenants
Nobody likes property inspections. They are an inconvenience for both the property owner and the tenant. However, you can reduce friction by explaining why they are important.
When your tenants understand why property inspections are important, they will be less likely to feel like you are exercising arbitrary power.
Enjoy All of the Benefits of Quality Property Inspections
We hope that you were able to take away something helpful from this brief article on a few of the most important things to keep in mind when you are conducting property inspections. Done correctly, these inspections can help you decrease problems and increase your profits. It is a skill that you will use over and over again for years to come.
As a result, it is more than worth taking the time and effort to learn how to perform property inspections as well as possible. You can also outsource this process to experts who have already learned how to perform them like clockwork. To learn more about how property managers can help you manage your property inspections, feel free to reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!
