Rental Property Inspections: What Landlords Need to Document
Whether you are conducting a routine inspection or working with a new tenant, rental property inspections are crucial for evaluating the condition of a rental property. As a landlord, there are several key factors to consider and document to protect your investment and foster a strong relationship with your tenant. In this article, we will cover what landlords need to document during a rental property inspection and what is typically included in a home inspection. To learn more, contact Atlanta Property Inspections today.
What Do Landlords Need to Document
During a home inspection, landlord documentation plays a crucial role in providing legal protection and maintaining transparency with tenants. We have broken down what a landlord should document into five simple things:
- The Date & Purpose of the Inspection: Before the inspection begins, note down the exact date, time, and purpose of the inspection. This can be due to a general move-in, move-out, a routine maintenance check, or a similar event.
- Detailed Room Observation: Start by writing a detailed description of each room in general. Note down the overall condition of the rooms, including any visible damage, and also indicate how clean or messy they appear.
- Any Photos or Notes: The best way to support your case in any legal context or to demonstrate transparency in general would be to include photographs and notes of the rooms and the overall condition of the house. Always write down a little description for each note, like a small crack in the tile near the entrance below the picture you took.
- Repair and Maintenance Needs: As a landlord, you don’t need to be a home inspector, but you can significantly help speed up the process by listing any items, appliances, or systems that may require attention. Keep track of these items and follow up on the progress of the fixing process.
- Tenant Comments: Lastly, if you aren’t the person living in the property, then gathering the tenants' comments and concerns is crucial. If the tenant raises any concerns during the inspection, record them. Not only will this help strengthen your relationship with the tenant, but it will also enable you to resolve issues quickly and efficiently.
What Is Included In A Home Inspection?
Now that we know what landlords need to document, let’s review the six most important areas typically covered in most home inspections in Roswell, GA.
- Exterior of the House: During the inspection, inspectors look at the general exterior of the house. They can look at the grounds, roof, garages, fences, or even decks. The exterior part of the house is challenging to inspect, as the weather can significantly limit how thoroughly each of these parts is examined.
- Interior of the House: Apart from the systems mentioned in the following points, examining the interior of the house is relatively straightforward. Inspect the doors, windows, walls, ceilings, and any stains, as well as closets, attics, and crawl spaces, for signs of wear and tear or other conditions that require major repairs.
- The Foundation of the House: The foundation of the house is a major part of a home inspection. A home is built on a solid foundation of stone or concrete, but even the strongest concrete can deteriorate over time. The foundation must be inspected periodically by a professional to ensure it won’t pose a potential hazard to the house in the future.
- Electrical System: The electrical system has been thoroughly examined, as a simple problem with this system can result in high energy bills and even put the house at risk of fire.
- Plumbing System: The plumbing system also needs to be inspected for any issues with faucets, fixtures, toilets, sump pumps, and other components.
- HVAC System: The HVAC system is responsible for heating and cooling the building. Most home inspections also include inspection of the HVAC system as part of their service.
Atlanta Property Inspection
Are you looking to work with a professional home inspection company? You’re in the right place. At Atlanta Property Inspection, we have over 25 years of industry experience, ASHI-certified inspectors, a buyer protection plan, and more. Contact us today to learn more about our services and company.