When you're not at your rental property, you never know what horrors could be happening inside. Just ask this landlord couple, whose property was trashed and used for illegal activities.
The best tool you have in your belt is regular rental property inspections. Going through your rental inspection checklist should avoid the vast majority of problems. That said, how often should you be conducting them?
Today we take a look at:
- Legal considerations for inspections
- A healthy frequency for inspections
- How to organize inspections
Consider this your guide to property management tips in Greenville, SC. By the end, you'll be a master of regular inspections.
What Are the Laws on Rental Property Inspections?
Like most places, Greenville property laws include some landlord inspection guidelines. Namely, you should give 24-hour notice before coming to the property. Make sure you are coming during reasonable business hours - so don't schedule a late-night visit.
The tenant must also agree to the visit and grant you entry. Beyond that, there are no limitations on the frequency of rental property inspections or maintenance visits. It's up to you how often you will drop by to do them.
How Often Should You Do Rental Property Inspections?
Generally speaking, it's a good idea to conduct inspections at least once every six months. Doing so means you visit the property twice a year. So, you might schedule the first inspection halfway through the lease, and the second right before it ends.
Bi-annual visits give you plenty of time to anticipate a potential tenant eviction. Further, they give you a chance to nip big problems before they grow. For example, a water leak that's not spotted early could spiral into major water damage.
Should You Go More Often?
Some landlords may feel those long six-month stretches only make them more anxious. What if something happens that you don't find out about until the end of the lease? You may have unruly, careless tenants who can't be completely trusted.
Every three months strikes a nice balance. It's frequent enough to give you a better understanding of the property's current state, without bothering the tenants.
How to Set Up an Inspection
The best policy is to give written notice of an upcoming inspection. Text or email your tenant with a date and time and ask for permission. Make it clear you're coming for a property inspection.
Bring along a rental inspection checklist. Be on the lookout for things like:
- Excessive wear and tear
- Water damage
- Major stains
- Sewage backups
- Safety hazards
For your own legal protection, document what you see. Legal reasons aside, pictures and written descriptions could help contractors decide what repairs are needed.
Join PMI Southern States
Rental property inspections keep your property in check and your tenants honest. The important thing is to give advance notice and get permission before entering the property. Otherwise, it's up to you how often you go, with six months being a good ballpark.
PMI Southern States in Greenville helps you do a lot more than regular inspections. We pride ourselves on having your rentals filled with qualifying tenants in 10 days or less, and much more. Get started with our free rental analysis tool.
