A vital element of renting out any type of property is properly inspecting the property before, during, and after tenants occupy it. Here at Douglas Realty Property Management of southwest Florida, we offer regularly scheduled inspections for every property we manage, giving landlords the peace of mind that their properties are being treated well. In this post, we’ll review our inspection procedures that keep our rental properties in a prime condition while occupied.
Before Listing
Before listing any property on the market for rent, you should do a full inspection of the property, covering all areas. Test light switches, outlets, appliances, and more during this inspection and note any issues. Plan to repair these issues prior to allowing a tenant to move in.
It’s also a good idea to ask your new tenant to note any issues they discover upon moving in, along with photo evidence when possible, for the first couple of weeks. This way, you don’t end up charging the tenant for the damage they did not cause that was missed in the inspection. For a comprehensive inspection checklist, try searching online.
During Tenancy
At regular intervals during the tenancy, you should conduct full inspections as well. Here at Douglas Realty Property Management, we conduct a full inspection of all of our occupied properties during the 10th month of each tenancy year. Landlords can also opt for inspections during the 3rd and 7th months with our upgrade package. No matter when you plan to inspect the property during the tenancy, be sure to notify the tenant of the planned inspection with enough lead time to satisfy your state’s landlord-tenant laws.
At Tenancy End
When a tenant decides to move out of your rental property, plan to conduct a final full inspection as soon as possible after the tenant leaves. This inspection is essential if you plan to deduct repair costs from the tenant’s security deposit. We suggest involving the tenant in this final inspection, so any issues can be addressed promptly.
Property Management in Southwest Florida
If inspecting properties doesn’t sound like fun to you, let the professionals at Douglas Realty Property Management help. We conduct thousands of rental property inspections each year, so we know exactly what to look for when trying to find damage that can affect your property’s value. To discuss your property management needs in southwest Florida, call us at 239-542-6906 or contact us online.
