Landlords can and likely will conduct inspections of their rental properties. Typically, Landlords want to know the state of their property. They will use this information to decide whether to upgrade the rental, make any repairs, or simply see if the property is being properly maintained.
Can landlords do inspections?
Yes, landlords can perform rental property inspections. Although, it might seem intrusive to tenants for landlords to do examinations of the property. Generally, however, this is a regular practice among landlords to ensure their rentals are in good condition and do not need major repairs.
What type of inspections can landlords do?
Usually, a landlord’s inspection is a walk-through of the property. This reviews the overall condition of the rental and notes any adjustments that need to be made, such as fixing window leaks or door creaks.
In general, landlords who conduct a walk-through will look for the following items:
- Look for bug/pest damage
- Check for water damage or leaks (bathroom, kitchen, ceiling)
- Change the furnace filters
- Change the fire alarm batteries
- Proper access to fire extinguishers
- Check window/door seals
- Review any appliance damage or upgrades
- Cleanliness of the property
Additionally, you can check out a full rental property inspection checklist here.
How often can landlords do inspections?
Typically, landlords will include in their lease how frequently they expect to do inspections. Inspections can happen monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. Also, tenants might request an inspection if there needs to be a lot of maintenance done on the property.
Conclusion
Traditionally, rental property inspections are an important part of being a landlord. Landlords can do inspections on their properties and will likely have clauses in their lease or lease addendums that let you know when the inspections will be and how much notice they give you.
Usually, the amount of notice that needs to be given is based on your local and state laws, so review those regulations before performing inspections.
