It would be wise for a property owner to know that their tenant is keeping Avilla rental property clean. This is critical because the value of your property may rise or fall depending on its overall condition. Unfortunately, some tenants do not prioritize cleaning and property maintenance. What’s more, if you do not check up on them, you may not know that cleanliness is an issue until it becomes a much bigger problem.
Regular property inspections are at the core of the property management process. But in the business of owning rental properties, the methods of property inspections are varied. Knowing why inspections are important, how to create and carry out an inspection schedule, and how to talk with your tenant about cleanliness are all things that a successful property owner needs to know.
Regular property inspections must be performed for these reasons: Valuable insight is gathered by finding out if the tenant abides by the terms of the lease and it helps you catch developing problems early on. Tenants have different ideas when it comes to cleanliness. As the saying goes, different strokes for different folks. A dirty house or yard may be a concern for some but not for others. There are some tenants that might even think cleanliness is none of your business. Not true indeed. A dirty house or yard can escalate to serious problems like structural damage, bad odors, pest infestations, and more. It’s best to catch these issues early so you could do away with expensive repairs that the security deposit cannot cover.
Because property inspections are important, it is also important that these are done in an organized way. As a property owner, you have several different kinds of inspections in your property management toolbox. The move-in inspection can help you establish a baseline for your property’s condition, helpful if you need to assess wear and tear or property damage later on. Then there are drive-by inspections that allow you to pass and see your rental property for visible issues with the property’s exterior.
But it must be emphasized that regular inspections are the most important inspections for safety and cleanliness in the property’s interior. A yearly set number of inspections is not set in stone. Some property owners prefer inspecting their units once a year while some inspect their rental house every three or six months. Annual inspections are the most common and provide the best balance for property owners as they get a clear sense of the property’s condition while not creating undue hardship for tenants.
Do not inspect your property too often. Be sensitive as your constant intrusions could frustrate your tenant. However, if you find cleanliness problems from your previous inspections, you might be inclined to increase your frequency of visits until you are reasonably sure that your tenant has made sure to keep your property clean. This is also necessary especially if you discover your tenant has an unauthorized pet or unauthorized people living in the house. Document everything in photos and writing every time you do your inspection.
Cleanliness inspections are a tricky topic with tenants but this doesn’t need to be the case. You can manage a tenant’s expectations for property inspections by including an inspection schedule in the lease. You must give proper notice before entering the property and that the tenant must have knowledge of the purpose of your visit. Establishing good communication with your tenant can make your property inspections much easier for everyone, and help you check the property as needed.
When you want a tenant to clean up the property properly, a request should be best done in writing. By giving a detailed list of tasks for your tenant, it would be very clear what exactly you expect from them. Include the photographs you have taken. This will create a strong paper trail for you when the need arises.
Regular property inspections, when done appropriately and routinely, help build a pattern for tenants to make your rental property clean. When tenants know that you are constantly monitoring, this gives them a stronger incentive to keep your property tidy.
Need help coming up with a lease, or maybe you’d rather not deal with your tenants at all? Feel free to reach out to Real Property Management Hometown and talk to one of our property managers at 501-701-4702 or 501-303-6870 or contact us online.
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