Why Tenants Do Not Report Repairs

I think it is human nature to avoid contact with the person that controls the levers in our lives.  Especially the lever that that increase costs.

In the case of the landlord tenant relationship, I think a tenant may avoid reporting repairs if they feel the landlord might see the need to increase the rent to cover the costs. 

With this in mind, a prudent landlord will want to increase rents on an annual basis and inspect and make repairs on a regular basis.  Do not let the tenant control when repairs are discovered.  Get in there on an annual basis and get a structural pest/termite inspection every two years.