Most landlords bestow on themselves the responsibility of the unit’s maintenance. However, they forget that their tenants also have some level of responsibility for property maintenance.
As the lease expires, it is every landlord’s wish to receive the unit back in its best condition. It would be ideal if it reverted in better condition to attract the next tenant easily. To achieve this, it is recommended that you carry out a walk-through inspection.
From our years of experience in the property industry, T.E. Johnsons & Sons have put together this short article to advise you on conducting a tenant walk-through seamlessly!
Design a Walk-Through Inspection Form
To be clear and thorough in your inspection, you should create a form that lists every room and element of your unit. You can also mention the condition of each to avoid any ambiguities.
As you list each room, be sure to divide the elements such as the floor, windows, walls, doors, sink unit, cabinets/ wardrobes, ceiling fans, fixtures, and unique fittings to the room. If you choose to print out the form, you can leave a blank line or two to add in an element of the room that you might have left out.
You may be able to obtain such inspection forms online. However, each property has its unique needs and elements. So, we always recommend that you customize your form to match your specialized property.
After each element in the room, you should have several columns to record its condition before move-in and move-out. There should also be a column to indicate whether it’s damaged or needs repair and how much it would cost to repair.
Conduct the Inspection Together
While you might want to conduct the inspection alone, you can set up a good rapport with the tenant by conducting the inspection together. A joint inspection shows the tenant that you have nothing to hide and also fosters positive landlord-tenant relations.
Additionally, a joint inspection allows you as the landlord to set your expectations. Let’s say that you have gone to the pains to ensure that every room and element is in the best condition possible. As you point out the condition to the tenant, they will be able to appreciate this and comply with your expectations in the future.
Pictures and Videos
While you might have a form to document the condition of the premises, having photos will simplify and also capture some issues that you might have left out.
A good example is during the exit walk-through inspection. As you perform a joint inspection, the tenant may insist that certain scuff marks or stains were there. A written form might not consider these issues. However, a photo or video will serve as a good basis for concluding the matter.
.jpg "pexels-rdne-stock-project-8293739%20%281%29")
Most smartphones have good camera capabilities. Make sure to take several photos of a room or element and save them on cloud storage, backing them up should anything happen to your phone.
Personal Inspection
A joint inspection has many advantages, especially since it gives the tenant comfort and also allows both of you to agree on certain ambiguities. However, along with a joint inspection, it is also recommended to conduct a personal inspection of your own.
We recommend that you carry out your inspection, taking your sweet time to fine-comb through any and every element in the unit. Test every device that you suspect might have an issue. This includes turning on the air conditioning, running the faucets, and opening/ closing the kitchen cabinets.
Once you have identified these issues, you can bring them up with your tenant later on during the joint inspection.
Give Ample Time For Repairs
Part of good tenant management means offering the tenant ample time to handle the repairs. You should put yourself in your tenant’s shoes. In some cases, they might need several days to find a good reputable handyman to handle the repairs that you have agreed upon.
Make sure to give the tenant a copy of the inspection to know which repairs to make. Before the tenant moves out, you should have a second inspection. This is to ensure that the repairs that you mentioned during the joint inspection were handled comprehensively.
.jpg "pexels-ksenia-chernaya-5768107%20%281%29")
State Laws
As you know by now, property is one of the most regulated assets in the investment industry. When it comes to leasing, you have the State laws describing how to handle such conflicts and property issues. A good understanding and correct interpretation of State laws is crucial to ensure a fair property management process.
The State’s Landlord-Tenant Rules dictate how much security deposit you can ask from the tenant. They also describe how the deposit should be used and how soon the balance is to be sent to the tenant.
Conclusion
A comprehensive walk-through ensures that your rental unit is in the best condition possible and protects your interest. It is an important part of the property management process that helps you ensure the good condition of your property.
If you need help managing your rental unit in Winston-Salem, contact T.E. Johnsons & Sons today! Our team of experts can help you with the various aspects of property management such as tenant screening, crafting lease agreements and more!
Contact us today to learn more!
