This is the second in our two-part blog on property rental inspections and what you need to do when inspecting a rental property. In the first part, we talked about vacant rental inspections and we recommended you do those with video so you can get objective documentation on the condition of a property prior to and after a tenant has moved in or out.

Occupied rental inspections are very different.

You do not need to spend a lot of time establishing the condition of the home at the time of move in or move out. When you inspect a property that is occupied by the current tenants, you are trying to see how your tenant is taking care of the property.

General things you look for in a rental home inspection

  • Is the housekeeping good? You want the home to be clean and tidy
  • Is there any damage or excessive wear and tear?
  • Are there any unauthorized occupants? For example, if your lease reads that you are renting to two adults and no children, yet you find four beds and lots of toys in the house, that might tell you something.
  • Are there unauthorized pets? If you notice dog bowls and dog food in a home that is supposed to be without pets, you will want to discuss what you find with the tenants.

An inspection is also a good opportunity to find out if the maintenance obligations are being kept up.

For example, check the air conditioning filters. Your tenants might not be changing them regularly, which can lead to a long term problem for you. They really should be changed every 30 days; otherwise they can harm your unit and cut down on the lifespan of the system.

Check for plumbing maintenance needs as well.

Take a look at the washing machine hoses. A frayed hose could indicate a potential leak. Inspect the toilet tanks. Check the flapper valve and make sure it seals properly and does not need to be replaced. If the landlord is paying a water bill, there is not always a lot of motivation for the tenant to report a slight leak in that flapper valve. Even if the tenant is responsible for water, it does not take a lot of money or effort to replace a flapper valve.

These are some of the things that we recommend you consider when you do an occupied inspection of a rental property. Contact us or give us a call if we can answer any questions at (813) 875-7474.