Property inspections help to evaluate the condition of your property, and how well it’s being looked after by tenants. However, arranging visits to your tenants for inspections as well as managing the move-in and move-out processes for your tenants is no easy feat. At Real Property Management Premier, we use industry-standard processes to handle such tasks. And other property management tasks like annual inspections, rental management, property maintenance, accounting, and evictions. It is all part of our ZERO hassle property management philosophy!
How A Move-in Property Inspection Helps To Evaluate The Condition Of Your Property.
When landlords ask us to rent out their property, we aim to do so, within three weeks, of the property being rent-ready. For a start, we compile a list of interested tenants for your rental property through our extensive property marketing services. Next, we complete the tenant background checks and also a thorough and detailed tenant screening and selection process. As your leasing agent, we will also manage lease signing with the approved tenant. We prepare leases using our professionally prepared Florida lease agreement. This help to ensure that you c execute the required contracts correctly.
At the same time, we record rent, deposits, and any other fees collected by local legal and financial regulations in your online account. We also provide professional tenant education at lease signing. With all this done, it’s time for the tenants to move in, after completing the move-in property inspection.
How The Walk-through Process Helps
Our leasing agent conducts a walk-through of the property to check and record its condition, room by room. This important walk-through assists in accurately assessing any changes in conditions when the tenant eventually vacates the property. Most professional move-in property inspections include a walkthrough of the property, and recording a comprehensive and recorded inventory. We (or the landlord) take photographs and even record videos of the condition of all items remaining in the residence throughout the tenancy. Compiling a detailed inventory allows the landlord to refer back and make an objective comparison of any damage at the time of tenant move-out.
The completed inventory should be unbiased and of a professional standard. Generally speaking, good inventories include:
- Full names and contact details of both the tenant(s) and the landlord, as well as a date the inventory was conducted
- A comprehensive list of fixtures, fittings, and décor as well as their condition. When recording this information, be sure to add any detail such as ‘minor scratches’ so there’s no ambiguity
- Accurate meter readings
- The signatures of the landlord and tenants agree to the inventory. It’s also advisable to initial each page as you go along
- Where possible, you can embed photographs into the document. And as good practice, make it a habit to also store them separately on a hard drive.
- Ensure to hand over a signed copy of the inventory to your tenants
Periodic Property Inspections
Once your tenants have moved in, it’s a good idea to carry out periodic property inspections to gauge the overall upkeep of your property. By reviewing its existing condition, you get to identify and detect and rectify any potential issues early. By attending to issues promptly, you can prevent them from developing into major problems, later on. And save thousands of dollars in fixing them.
Just how many inspections you decide to perform, is at your discretion. Normally, an annual inspection suffices, and you should not carry them out in excess. You must know your rights and responsibilities as a landlord and also respect those of your tenants. When you visit the property, take a copy of the inventory with you so that you can refer to it. Also try to ensure that the tenants are in the property so that you can discuss any points with them, there and then.
During the inspection, talk through any concerns you may have with your tenants at the time. Make notes and share them with the tenants, providing both parties with a reasonable timeframe in which to make any necessary amends. Timely inspections ensure that there won’t be any changes needed suddenly. By visiting tenants regularly during the tenancy, you can ensure that no surprises crop up when you’re looking for new occupants.
How A Move-out Inspection Helps To Evaluate The Condition Of Your Property
When the time comes for your tenants to move out, you need to evaluate the condition of your property and inventory. It is always a good idea to remind tenants of their role in the move-out process. By communicating professionally, you should also make them aware of their responsibilities a couple of weeks before their check-out date. This helps to prepare them for their departure and eliminates any confusion between each party’s role.
At the time of move-out, you should ask the tenants to be present, and ensure, both parties have a copy of the inventory (complete with pictures and videos). This way, you can accurately assess the current condition of the property and compare it to its original state. Although you’re not looking to catch the tenants out here, it’s essential to undertake a comprehensive check, focusing on cleanliness, or any items that are missing. Also, keep in mind that throughout the tenancy, it’s likely that there’ll be a degree of wear and tear within the property. Though ‘fair’ wear and tear is normally allowed in the tenancy agreement, you should address any serious damage to a property as a result of neglect or wilful damage.
When completing the tenant move-out process, the tenant and landlord should sign off on all relevant documents. If you’re happy that everything is in order, you can start the process of refunding the security deposit. However, if something seems amiss, carefully note things down in detail. Document all changes, and take pictures to support your findings. You can then decide how much of the original deposit will be withheld. Or you may even admit the findings to the courts in the case of legal proceedings, if necessary.
How We Can Help.
We can conduct home inspections on the condition of your rental property or investment property in Pembroke Pines. This will identify any issues from becoming more extensive and costlier, and give you peace of mind that tenants are taking good care of your rental home. Real Property Management Premier offers move-in, move-out, and regularly scheduled inspections. Call us today!