Property inspections help to determine what arrangements have been honoured and what ones haven’t, allowing landlords to make informed decisions on their next move regarding their property and its occupational status.
This guide will walk landlords and letting agents alike through the process of a property inspection and your rights regarding your property.
What is a property inspection?
A property inspection is a procedure that involves inspecting and documenting the current condition of a property that a landlord has rented out to a tenant.
There are different rules and legal obligations a landlord must adhere to when it comes to rental property inspections in order to make sure they’re tending to their tenants’ well-being, as they have a duty of care towards them.
Some of the legal obligations a landlord has towards their tenants include:
- Safe gas, water, and electricity supply
- Safe appliances
- Safe wiring
- Safe interior and exterior (including getting rid of asbestos or black mould)
A property inspection also allows a landlord to conduct check-ups on their property to ensure that it is being treated as intended and that the tenants of said property are following the guidelines you have set in place.
Why do rental properties need inspections?
A property inspection can help you to identify the condition of both the interior and exterior of the property and take note of anything that needs to be addressed.
As a landlord, you will have a handful of different responsibilities that you are obliged to fulfil, one of them being a duty of care towards your tenants. If your property has experienced some damage, whether structural or otherwise, you will need to make sure it’s documented and reported for the safety of your tenants.
Carrying out property inspections means that a landlord can achieve the following:
- Check for any maintenance that needs to be conducted
- Note and apply for services to see to any unexpected repairs
- Assess the overall health & safety status of the property
- Create a more respectable relationship with your tenant(s)
- Assess how tenant(s) are treating your property
- Prepare for any upcoming property viewings
What should a landlord be looking for in an inspection?
When undertaking a property inspection, it can be easy to forget or miss aspects that need to be checked.
To make it easy, we have created a simple checklist:
- Damp
- Mould
- Leaks
- Blocked drains
- Smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and other related alarms
- Gas appliances
- Unauthorised subletting or lodgers
- Unauthorised pets
- Doors and escape routes
- Are these in easily accessible locations?
- Are they blocked or obscured by anything?
- Furnishings
- Are handles or railings fitted tightly, or are they loose?
- Pest infestation
- Is there a significant amount of pests, such as flies or mice?
- General cleanliness
- Is the property being cleaned to an acceptable standard?
- Are there piles of rubbish or rubbish bags filling the property?
- Garden condition
- Is it overgrown and generally uncared for?
Can a landlord enter a property without notice?
No, a landlord cannot enter a property without notice. All landlords need to give tenants a 24-hour minimum notice before entering the property, and the notice has to be agreed to by the tenant.
In addition to this, any visits and inspections must be conducted during a reasonable time during the day, which is why it’s important to maintain a good level of communication with your tenant. If your tenant works hours that differ from the typical 9-5, you’ll need to agree on the best time that works for you both.
What if a tenant refuses entry to the property?
Your tenant(s) have every right to refuse entry if you show up at the property unannounced or without arranging it beforehand.
Regardless of why a tenant could be refusing to allow their landlord to enter the property, by law, you cannot willfully enter, as this will be considered trespassing.
Maintaining a good relationship with your tenants through frequent and clear communication is what will prevent incidents such as a refusal of entry from occurring.
Property inspections at Aspire to Move
If you need help or want someone to carry out your property inspections, Aspire to Move can arrange and carry out professional rental property inspections as part of a fully managed service.
Speak to us today to find out more about how we can help.
