Tips for landlord inspections
At ESPC Lettings, our clients include many different types of landlords who have a variety of properties, but we advise them to take a pro-active approach towards their property and their tenants.
The purpose of a midterm property inspection is to evaluate the condition of a property during the tenants stay, and if something is wrong with the property, it should be addressed and fixed as soon as possible.
Money well spent now will save you in the long run from having to deal with expensive repairs, and it also helps the tenants bring up any issues that they may have. A tenant who feels that they are looked after is likely to want to stay longer, which would also help you to reduce any void periods.
Why are midterm inspections important?
They represent a chance to review the property’s condition, address any other issues that have been raised, and put a plan together for any positive changes if necessary.
It’s an opportunity to discover if any repairs are needed whilst highlighting maintenance issues which could cause problems if left to the end of the tenancy.
There are also some specific key things that should be looked at during an inspection:
- General condition
- Smoke alarms, security & carbon monoxide detectors – are they still working?
- Lofts, attics and cupboards
- Damp and mould – are there signs of it?
- Leaks
- Fittings
- Outdoor environment
- Basins, sinks, baths and other sanitary fittings
- Heating and hot water systems
- Damages through attempted repairs
- Health and safety
Make sure you discuss these with your tenant, offering reassurance to them as well as to yourself.
Lettings event
For more expert advice, make sure you come along to our Lettings event on 24th August from 4.30pm, which will be packed with useful information for landlords.