If you’re a property owner who’s bought an investment property and rented it out, then this property inspection checklist should come in handy. A landlord’s responsibilities don’t end with finding a tenant, vetting them, and signing a tenancy agreement. You’re also responsible for providing your tenants with safe and hygienic living accommodation.
You’ll need to conduct proactive property maintenance and repair during the tenancy tenure, before a new tenant moves in and after a renter moves out. This will ensure your flat is compliant with the legal standards of health and safety. If you’re a first-time landlord or you find yourself struggling to stay on top of the inspection checklist for rental property, this guide should help.
Here, we’ve answered all the important questions and created a useful property inspection checklist for landlords. Habitare’s block property managers can assist owners and landlords with property maintenance, repair, service charge collection, and maintaining open resident communication. Connect with us today to know more.
Why is Regular Property Inspection Required?
Proactive property maintenance ensures your tenant doesn’t have any issues living on your property, and it also helps landlords stay compliant with their legal obligations.
Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 governs landlords’ obligations towards rental property maintenance and repair, and you must diligently abide by the proponents to avoid being penalised.
Undertaking regular inspections, maintenance, and repair work means you’ll be able to quickly spot and address signs of dampness, mildew, or rot. If there’s an issue, whether with plumbing, building structure, or gas lines, you can sort it before it gets worse.
This will help you save money by avoiding undertaking more extensive repairs at a later date. It’ll also help you maintain a good reputation, so you can continue charging competitive rent and make sure your tenant has a pleasant living experience. Previously, landlords could levy a property inspection charge to tenants who were moving out, but this is no longer allowed.
Should Tenants Be Notified About Inspections?
As a landlord, you need to undertake regular inspections, usually every quarter, to check the condition of your property. Aside from regular inspections, you can also enter the property to show it to new renters. An important note to make in your inspection checklist for rental property is to notify the tenant before the inspection.
Landlords must provide their tenants with 24 hours of prior notice in writing, letter, or email to notify them about an impending inspection or for conducting maintenance and repair work. You should also mention the time when you’ll be visiting the property, and this shouldn’t be too early or too late in the day.
Notifying your tenant of an inspection allows them to convey their availability and make changes to the appointment according to mutual convenience.
During an emergency, like a fire outbreak or flooding, the property owner can enter the rented property without pre-warning the tenant. But in this situation, tenants will need to be notified as soon as possible once everything is under control.
A number of periodic safety inspections need to be carried out as part of the home inspection checklist for landlords including:
- A gas safety inspection every 12 months
- Electric inspections every five years
- An EPC assessment every 10 years
Without a formal written notice, a tenant can refuse entry to the landlord or their representatives. The right to quiet enjoyment of property by a tenant has been safeguarded under the Housing Act 1988. Any breach by the owner can lead to prosecution.
Things to Check During Property Inspections
Here is a property inspection checklist you need to follow:
Cleanliness and hygiene
Alarms
Structural issues and exterior of the property
Electrical wiring and gas lines
Mould and damp
Plumbing
Pest infestation
1. Cleanliness and Hygiene
This is one of the main elements to be included in the property inspection checklist for landlords. You can conduct regular inspections to check whether your tenant has maintained the expected cleanliness and hygiene standards. If you’ve allowed pets or smoking on the property, you must inform your renter, whether in writing or verbally, that the property must be vacated in the same condition as when it was let out.
If you find tenants falling behind on cleanliness or hygiene factors, you can educate them about your expectations.
2. Alarms
Another item on our home inspection checklist for landlords is to regularly test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Change the batteries periodically to make sure they’re in the right working condition. If you haven’t yet installed alarms, make this your top priority for your tenant’s safety.
3. Structural Issues and Exterior of the Property
As a property owner, you need to undertake regular checks to make sure there’s no structural damage such as broken windows and doors, cracks in the walls, or a sagging roof. You also need to check the gutters, drains, and pipes as part of your property inspection checklist for landlords.
4. Electrical Wiring and Gas Lines
A registered electrician should conduct an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) every five years on your property, and you need to provide this report to the tenant within 28 days of them moving in. During your periodic inspections, you can also visually check for damage to electrical wiring, sockets, or switches.
Gas checks should be done by certified professionals only. While you’re undertaking proactive property maintenance, if you find any signs of damage to the boiler or gas lines or if the tenant complains of a smell of gas, immediately arrange for a professional inspection.
5. Mould and Damp
Mould and damp are common in the UK because of our damp, cool weather conditions. As part of your inspection checklist for rental property, check for signs of mould. If left untreated, mould can damage the property, leading to expensive repairs and affecting the living conditions of tenants. During your inspections, check the kitchen, bathrooms, and walls near the window for signs of mould and dampness, as these areas are most in contact with water.
6. Pest Infestation
Pest infestation is common in buildings that are unhygienic and improperly maintained. As a landlord, you’ll need to check both the exterior and interior of the property for pests. Educate your renters about cleanliness practices and standards. If they inform you about a pest sighting, immediately call professionals to address the issue.
7. Plumbing
Finally, our home inspection checklist for landlords ends with checking the taps and pipes for signs of leaks, or wear and tear. Plumbing issues such as clogged toilets or broken taps can lead to flooding, damage the property, and act as a health hazard for the residents.
Contact Habitare For Regular Proactive Property Inspections and Maintenance
If you’re struggling to stay on top of the property inspection checklist for rented apartments, consider outsourcing your maintenance duties to Habitare.. As a leading block property management company, we offer periodic property inspections, with a team of vetted contractors who can conduct repair or maintenance work and assist with communicating with tenants and collection service charges.Proactive property maintenance and repair by the Habitare team will help you continue to make a steady rental income, stay compliant with the law, and provide safe living conditions for your tenants. Contact us to learn more about our services.