An annual inspection will protect you and your resident from safety and financial liabilities.  Since some residents remove smoke alarm batteries, this is a chance to verify that the alarm(s) is both working properly and that it is placed in the proper location(s).  Also, many residents do not faithfully change their air conditioner and heater filters.  The annual inspection will reveal this and give you a chance to change the filter before your AC unit gets damaged. 

The annual inspection will also allow you a chance to catch any lease violations and deferred maintenance.  Are their any pets at the property that you do not know about for example.  Be sure to check for caulking and any leaks under sinks or roof leaks.

Some tenants have been known to turn the house they rent into a drug growing or manufacturing operation.  Getting inside once a year will curtail the temtation.

Be wise, many jurisdictions will only allow the landlord to enter the property for a limited number of reasons.  Annual maintenance that the landlord wants to perform will normally qualify.

www.HomePointe.com

We have homes for rent in the following locations:
Homes for rent in Sacramento, Homes for rent in Natomas, Homes for rent in Elk Grove, Homes for rent in Laguna, Homes for rent in Galt, Homes for rent in Franklin, Homes for rent in West Sacramento, Homes for rent in Davis, Homes for rent in Orangevale, Homes for rent in Citrus Heights, Homes for rent in Fair Oaks, Homes for rent in Gold River, Homes for rent in Carmichael, Homes for rent in North Highlands, Homes for rent in Antelope, Homes for rent in Roseville, Homes for rent in Rocklin, Homes for rent in Granite Bay, Homes for rent in Lincoln, Homes for rent in Loomis, Homes for rent in Marysville, Homes for rent in Plumas Lake, Homes for rent in Rancho Cordova, Homes for rent in Rosemont, Homes for rent in Cameron Park, Homes for rent in El Dorado Hills, Homes for rent in Shingle Springs, Homes for rent in Serrano, Homes for rent in Rescue, and more.

Robert A. Machado, CPM, MPM

HomePointe Property Management

Sacramento, Yolo, El Dorado, and Place Counties

We manage residential and commercial property.

916-429-1205 x 105

rmachado@HomePointe.com

 
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7 Comments on Why Should I Inspect My Rental Property?

MAY
15
2008

Looks like you have a lot of home for rent!! Thanks for the advice, have a great weekend.
4:02pm • #1
1,022,684 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

My HVAC service firm who does s/a HVAC service also replaces batteries in smoke alarms and I also have them replaced between tenants.

I encourage owners to view their properties BETWEEN tenants when we can freely and openly discuss upgrades, and repair options.  Since I allow a 7 to 10 day lag between the 3rd Friday of the move out month and the first of the following month, this is usually no problem. 

My properties turn over every 2 to 3 years and my lease allows for S/A inspections which I will do at no cost to the owner IF I suspect something is needed at the property.

If you train your service personnel to let you know about items during the tenancy and you have a thorough "make-ready" procedure between tenants, formal inspections should not be necessary
5:32pm • #2
249,448 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Wallace,  I agree on the point of getting the owner in their house when vacant.  But some properties do stay rented for longer periods and I would not want a HVAC vendor reporting to me on plumbing issues or on illegal pet issues to name two.  A system to get in annually solves a lot of issues that could become big problems if left to chance.
9:56pm • #3

Bob I sent this to four of my investment clients that have several properties. Very good info regarding all the hidden little gems people find after the sale.
10:33pm • #4
MAY
16
2008
1 Featured Post

Bob:

As always, you present excellent information for investment property owners. Thanks for the quality posts with very useful information.
1:26am • #5
1,022,684 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Maybe it's just me - I am personally in my properties at least 1X annually if not more.  My repair person holds a ClassB contractor license and is third generation contractor and my HVAC service firm also does electrical and plumbing with their new equipment installations.....I would trust them rather than an individual homeowner who may not know what they are looking at OR WORSE * they lived with it so tenants should as well.  My HVAC firm photographs any problem areas and then e-mails me photos that I can then e-mail to owners WITH recommendation for repair/fix AND costs.

Having come from a multi-unit mgmt early in my property management career, vacancies don't scare me since I get to upgrade properties and raise rents....WHEE!!

The SECRET for me is finding the problem and offering the SOLUTION at the same time...
5:44am • #6

I agree with you, having a walk through, even when it is rented, helps. It deters the tenant from unsavory behavior and helps curtail lease violations. It's obviously more convenient to inspect when the apartment is vacant, but many of my apartments stay occupied for years!
3:06pm • #7


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