Hi, this is Tanya with Envy Property Management, in today’s video we are going to talk about periodic property evaluations on your rental property. As an investment property owner, it is always a good idea to regularly inspect your rental property. If not done often enough, you could miss some potentially serious problems that would have otherwise been noticed. This also helps keep you financially protected, by regularly tracking the condition of the property and documenting what is normal wear and tear and what damages are tenant-related.
It is acceptable to drive by your rental property at any time to evaluate the exterior of the property, however, to evaluate the interior, you must give the tenants proper notice, in the state of Utah this is 24 hours. Because tenants have the right to quiet enjoyment and privacy of their home, this can only be done on a quarterly basis. So what this means is you can’t just enter the rental premises anytime you feel like it to check in on things. Be sure to check your local and state laws regarding how often you can legally perform periodic evaluations on your rental property and to ensure you’re not violating your tenant’s rights.
At EPM we offer and recommend quarterly property evaluations to ensure your property is being kept in adequate condition and up to standards. This is above and beyond the tenant move-in inspection and tenant move-out inspection. Although the periodic evaluation doesn’t need to be as in-depth as the move-in and move-out evaluation, it’s always a good idea to get a good look inside the home and document the condition. If at any time a tenant is not adhering to the tenancy agreement, we offer them a notice to resolve the issue and then follow up with them within a reasonable time frame.
So how do you conduct a respectful periodic property evaluation?
First, remember that these evaluations can be disruptive to tenants and landlords should be respectful when conducting property inspections. You have every right to inspect the property periodically to make sure it’s being taken care of, but keep in mind that this can be a bit of an annoyance to your tenants.
We’ve compiled a list of general guidelines for inspecting your property:
#1: Give Proper Notice.
As previously mentioned, make sure to always give at least 24 hours notice if you will be entering the unit. However, the more time you can give your tenant to prepare, the better.
#2: Encourage the Tenant to Be Present.
If the tenant is present during the evaluation, it ensures that you will be in agreement on the state of the unit and any potential damages. Plus, the tenant may feel more comfortable having you in their home if they are there as well.
#3: Be Prompt to Your Appointment.
Be respectful of your tenant’s time, especially if they have made arrangements to be present during the evaluation.
#4: Be Quick.
This doesn’t need to be an in-depth evaluation with pictures of every nook and cranny. This is simply an opportunity to get a good look inside the home, document the condition, and request the tenant to make repairs if necessary.
Some of the items we assess during your periodic property evaluation are:
- Safety and security of the tenants
- Check the level of normal wear and tear
- Check to see if any urgent maintenance needs to be carried out
- Overall cleanliness of the property
- Ensure no pipes are leaking underneath sinks
- Check for mold around kitchens and bathrooms or other areas with water
- Ensure appliances are working properly
- Check the heating and air system is operational
- Check for unauthorized tenants
- Check for unauthorized pets
- Ensure all additional terms of the tenancy agreement are being kept
#5: Be Careful with Your Photos.
If you are documenting damages, it is very important to take good quality photos. However, be careful not to capture photos of the tenant’s personal belongings in these photos.
At Envy your success is our success, and part of this is ensuring your property is in good condition and the lease is being upheld accordingly. Thank you for watching today, my name is Tanya with Envy Property Management, make sure you subscribe to receive more valuable information about your investment properties or call us today to see how we can help you increase your return on your investment. Our number is 801-337-4337, or visit our website at www.envypm.com.
