As a property owner, it is best to inform the tenants that they are also responsible for keeping your Summerville rental property clean. This is because the value of your property increases if the overall condition also increases. However, some tenants do not value the discipline of cleaning and maintaining the property. If you don’t check up on them, you may not know that cleanliness is an issue until it becomes a much bigger problem.
Regular property inspections are a vital part of your property management process. But just like in many aspects of owning rental properties, there are many approaches to property inspections. Knowing why inspections are important, how to create and carry out an inspection schedule, and how to talk with your tenant about cleanliness are all things that a successful property owner needs to know.
Regular property inspections must be performed for these reasons: It provides valuable insight if your tenant honors the terms of the lease as well as quickly catching any developing problems. Tenants have different ideas when it comes to cleanliness. As the saying goes, different strokes for different folks. A dirty house or yard may be a concern for some but not for others. There are some tenants that might even think cleanliness is none of your business. However, this is definitely not true. A dirty house or yard can escalate to serious problems like structural damage, bad odors, pest infestations, and more. Catching repairs early can save you from expensive repairs down the road and keep the security deposit untouched.
Since property inspections are important, they must be done in an organized way to get things done right. As a property owner, you have several different kinds of inspections in your property management toolbox. The move-in inspection can help you establish a baseline for your property’s condition, helpful if you need to assess wear and tear or property damage later on. Then there are drive-by inspections, which as the name suggests, lets you drive by your rental property to see visible issues with the property’s exterior.
But it must be emphasized that regular inspections are the most important inspections for safety and cleanliness in the property’s interior. A yearly set number of inspections is not set in stone. Property owners differ in their frequency in inspecting their units. Some do it annually while others check on their rental house every three or six months. Annual inspections are a common choice and make both parties happy. Property owners can get an accurate assessment of the property’s condition and tenants are spared the undue hardship.
Do not inspect your property too often. Be sensitive as your constant intrusions could frustrate your tenant. But then, if upon inspection, you encounter cleanliness problems, you may have to visit frequently until you will be reasonably sure that your tenant is doing his part to make the property clean. This is also true when you discover your tenant with an unauthorized pet or unauthorized people living in the house. Document everything in photos and writing every time you do your inspection.
Discussing cleanliness inspections with tenants may seem tricky but it doesn’t need to be. You can manage a tenant’s expectations for property inspections by including an inspection schedule in the lease. Before you visit the property, the tenant must have been properly notified of the purpose of your visit. Establishing good communication with your tenant can make your property inspections much easier for everyone, and help you check the property as needed.
If there is a request for the tenant to clean up the property, this should be done in writing. When a detailed list of tasks is given to your tenant, they would exactly know what you expect from them because the requests are clear. Also, take photographs as it makes any potential case stronger by creating a paper trail.
When regular property inspections are done appropriately, the routine builds a habit and familiarity with the tenants when keeping your rental property clean. When your tenants are aware that you are always on board, this gives them a stronger incentive to keep your property tidy.
Need help coming up with a lease, or maybe you’d rather not deal with your tenants at all? Feel free to reach out to Real Property Management Charleston and talk to one of our property managers at 843-900-4061 or contact us online.
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