You can't interfere with your tenant's legal right to peacefully enjoy rental property. But you do have a right to protect your real estate investment. Property inspections let you keep an eye on your investment, but this doesn't mean you can look at anything you want during your inspection.
What can a landlord look at during an inspection? As the property owner, you should limit your inspections to the property's condition. This guide will help you understand
What Can a Landlord Look at During an Inspection?
What a landlord can look for during a property inspection will depend on what type of inspection you perform. Performing regular inspections is one way of protecting your property. You need to balance looking for potential issues with respecting the tenant's right to privacy.
Move-In and Move-Out Inspection
Use an inspection checklist when performing move-in and move-out inspections. You should look at all structural elements, finishings, plumbing, and light fixtures.
Landlords can be more thorough with these inspections because the tenant's personal belongings are not in the property. It's also important to thoroughly document the condition before and after the tenant moves.
Mid-Lease Inspection
When performing a mid-lease inspection, look at the outside and inside of the property. Look at the state of the walls, floors, ceiling, and roof.
Check for investment property maintenance requirements for building upkeep. Verify that the tenant's previous maintenance requests have been completed. Address any new concerns that the tenant may have.
Finally, document any discovered lease violations.
Building Maintenance Inspection Checklist
When doing any type of property inspection, look for maintenance needs that need immediate attention. Test the smoke detectors to confirm they work. Look for water damage that could be a sign of a water leak.
Check for signs of a pest or insect infestation that requires fumigation. Look for signs of property damage that could create a safety hazard to your tenants and anyone who visits the property.
During winter, landlords should check that the heating system is running correctly. During the summer months, they should check the air conditioning system. These checks ensure your property maintains habitability under Nevada landlord/tenant law.
Lease Violation Inspection
If you receive reports that your tenant is violating the lease, you will want to perform an inspection to verify the violation. Once you have documentation of a lease violation, you can address it with the tenant. This is how you handle bad tenants professionally and legally.
Curable lease violations may require you to return and perform a follow-up inspection. Limit your follow-up inspection to the lease violation.
Perform Thorough Property Inspections
As a landlord, you have a right to perform property inspections. However, this is a right with limitations. What can a landlord look at during an inspection?
Landlords must limit their inspections to the property condition and potential lease violations. Working with a real estate management service can take the pressure off property owners.
Avalon Realty and Oaktree Management help property owners protect their investments by doing routine inspections. Our knowledgeable team understands the limitations and scope of inspections.
Feel less stressed when you know your property is safe with regular inspections by Avalon Realty and Oaktree Management.