Many rental property owners will tell you never to underestimate the importance of quarterly inspections. Not only will it save you from costly repairs, but it will also ensure the safety and comfort of your tenants. There are a lot of things to check, and it’s easy to miss a few things when you don’t make a list of your tasks. Below is a checklist that can help you cover all your bases.
Key Highlights:
- Regular quarterly inspections are essential for identifying and addressing small problems with the property’s foundation, roof, and plumbing before they escalate into major, expensive repairs.
- A primary goal of inspections is to ensure tenant safety by checking and maintaining critical features such as doors and window locks, working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and proper electrical wiring and appliances to prevent hazards like fires.
- The exterior of the property, including the paint, landscaping, and walkways, should be inspected to maintain its visual appeal and prevent wear and tear.
- The inspection checklist covers all interior areas, including walls, ceilings, floors, and water fixtures, to find and fix issues like cracks, peeling paint, or leaks that could lead to further damage.
- Crucial utility systems like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC should be checked to ensure they are functioning properly, which is vital for tenant comfort and a habitable living environment.
Exterior
☑ Foundation
Check your rental property’s foundation for cracks or shifting, especially when it is often exposed to elements like heavy rain. The smallest cracks can escalate into significant damage, so if you notice signs of weakness, it's crucial to call professional services immediately to correct the issue.
☑ Roof
Look for leaks or missing shingles, as well as gutters for clogs and debris. Prioritize your roof when there are upcoming natural disasters like hurricanes, given that damaged or weak roofing can lead to leaks, which can cause massive water damage.
☑ Paint
The exterior paint of your home is more susceptible to damage due to its exposure to the elements. With higher potential for discoloration and peeling, it’s important to check whether you need to reapply paint to maintain the curb appeal of your rental property.
☑ Landscape
Ensure that your yard is free from weeds, debris, dead spots, and pests. If you have shrubs and trees, trim them to achieve a neat look for your yard. You can always hire professionals to do this for you, especially if you don’t have much time for gardening or landscaping.
☑ Walkways
Walkways or pathways have the most foot traffic, so you’ll easily notice the difference between a worn path and a clean one. A power washer will usually do the trick. If not, you can let it soak first with a mix of water and detergent. Be careful with the grass, as chemicals can cause dead spots.
Interior
☑ Walls and Ceilings
As you would with the exterior, inspect your walls and ceilings for cracks, peeling paint, or water damage. When you find water damage, there’s a chance that you might also have mold growth and mildew.
☑ Floors
Floors are most prone to wear and tear, not just because of walking, but also because of moving furniture. Surfaces under carpets are often neglected as well, so you have to be thorough with your inspection. Check for scratch marks or minor damage, and have them fixed as soon as you can.
☑ Doors and Windows
Inspecting the locks and latches of your doors and windows is crucial, given that your tenant’s safety relies on it. If you find that some of the entry points aren’t secure, it should be your priority. With windows, check for cracks in the glass and have them replaced when you see damage.
☑ Lights and Outlets
Confirm that all light fixtures, switches, and outlets are working properly, as faulty wiring can lead to electrical fires. Some solutions are easy enough, such as replacing light bulbs, but if you discover problems with the wiring, it’s best to hire an electrician to fix it for you.
☑ Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Test all detectors and replace batteries when needed. When damaged or broken, you are legally required to replace it with a working one. If your rental property has more than one story, then you must have one on each story.
☑ Appliances
Test the appliances in your rental units, especially the kitchen. Stoves, ovens, microwaves, and air fryers pose fire hazards when they don't work properly. You can either have them repaired or replace them when they become outdated.
☑ Water Fixtures
Whether it’s in the kitchen or the bathroom, leaky faucets become a larger problem when left unchecked and broken. It can increase your utility bills and cause water damage. Clogged fixtures, such as sinks and toilets, can lead to further damage, even burst pipes in worst cases.
Utilities
☑ Plumbing
Leaky faucets and clogged fixtures are one thing, but a poorly maintained plumbing system can cause all sorts of problems for all water fixtures. Having poor water pressure to no running water at all can reduce tenant satisfaction, not to mention that you are legally required to provide running water to create a habitable living environment. Check for leaks, rust, and water stains on walls and ceilings.
☑ Electrical
Your electrical system allows everything in the rental unit to run smoothly, including essential appliances and lighting. It’s not just failing to provide power to your tenant, but a faulty electrical system opens you and your tenants to risks like electrical fires and broken appliances. Wiring, however, can be complex and is best left to professionals to inspect.
☑ HVAC
Your heating and cooling system keeps your tenants comfortable. Neglecting your HVAC system can even cause health issues, such as failing to replace air filters. When you do, take note of the date that you changed them. The recommended frequency of changing HVAC filters can range from every one to three months.
Conduct Regular Inspections with Ease
There are no shortcuts to quarterly inspections since they are meticulous work. However, that doesn’t mean you have to bear the responsibility yourself. Just like your option to hire professionals to tend to complicated problems like electrical wiring, you can also hire someone to oversee regular inspections.
With the help of Precision Realty, a property manager can handle quarterly inspections, as well as the repairs and maintenance that it calls for. With our network of vendors, you can expect reliable and faster fixes to put your investment property in the best condition.
There’s no need to handle all of the property management responsibilities on your own. Contact us today, and effectively reduce the stress of being a property owner!
