It’s good practice to carry out a check of any property at six monthly intervals. This is just to check on the general condition of the property, to see that the tenant is treating the property in the correct manner and to see if there are any looming maintenance problems on the horizon.
The tenant can be present for the inspection and should be given at least 24 hours’ notice of the visit in writing. They have of course the choice to decline the visit.
The visits should be relatively painless and east to conduct but if the time needs to be used for other things, then firms will carry out the inspections for the landlord.
- The easiest way to carry out an inspection is to have a set routine and a template that can be applied to every room where notes can be taken down regarding the general condition of each area. Photographs can also be taken as supporting evidence of a problem.
- Carry out observations around the room and see if anything needs repairing or replacing or just needs improving to make life easier for the tenant. The landlord should pay particular care in checking for condensation and its sources such as drying clothes in unventilated rooms. Advice on this can then be given to the tenant. Any dangerous occurrences can also be checked for such as the overloading of electrical sockets. The landlord has the right to insist that any dangerous occurrences be rectified in a reasonable amount of time. This should be done in writing and a further inspection arranged to check on the outcome.
- Once the inspection is complete it should be signed and dated by both the landlord and tenant and kept for future reference.
Also check for:
- The correct functioning of smoke detectors
- Any fire risks arising from the tenant’s behaviours
- The exterior of the property
- Any evidence of extra occupants or unauthorised pets
