Imagine you're on a holiday, treating yourself for working hard as a Boca Raton landlord. Unfortunately, you can't relax because your phone won't stop ringing.
It's your tenant calling in panic because of a burst pipe in your rental property. And they have every right to panic, as this can damage personal property and structures. It can also lead to dangerous mold growth.
That's just one example of what can happen due to a lack of regular rental property inspections.
So, how often should you inspect your rental properties then?
Below, we've shared guidelines on rental property inspection frequency, so please read on.
Before Listing
An effective rental property inspection timeline should include pre-listing inspections. These help you catch and fix structural issues before renting your property out.
As a result, you can ensure your units are ready for your thoroughly screened tenants. And the sooner they can move in, the sooner you can earn rental income.
Monthly Drive-by Inspections
A drive-by inspection lets you check your property's appearance from the street. This is vital, as the curb appeal of a home and its neighbor can account for up to 7% of a property's sale price.
You don't want poor curb appeal, even if you're not selling, as it can turn off potential renters. And if you have tenants, you must keep your property attractive for them to enjoy living in your unit. This is even more crucial if you want your excellent tenants to renew their lease.
Drive-by inspections can also help determine if your tenants have breached the lease. For example, suppose they said they had no pets when they signed their lease. However, when you passed by to do a quick visual check, you saw a dog or a cat on your property.
Even if you welcome pets in your rentals, you don't want tenants who lie about not owning them.
Every Quarter
Florida's climate may be perfect for sea lovers, but not so much for building components. Here, the wind, sun, heat, and salt make many items, such as paint and HVAC systems, last shorter than in other places in the U.S.
So, as a Boca Raton landlord, you should coordinate quarterly inspections with tenants. Your rental property inspection checklist should include HVAC, plumbing, roofing, and exterior maintenance.
Before and After a Lease Expires
Schedule a move-out inspection within 30 days before a lease expires. However, give your tenants about a week or two of advanced notice.
Once they move out, perform another inspection immediately after. This helps you identify any damage beyond normal wear and tear. You may be able to deduct the repair or replacement cost from your tenant's security deposit.
Never Skip Rental Property Inspections
Regular rental property inspections are crucial to keeping your investments habitable and attractive. So, as much as possible, do at least one monthly drive-by inspection. Then, coordinate more comprehensive assessments with tenants every quarter.
If you don't have the time to do all that, PMI Beach Properties will happily do it on your behalf. We're a full-service property management company specializing in maintaining our clients' properties and their high livability and value.
So, schedule a consultation with us today to discover the difference we can make for you and your Boca Raton properties!
