If you have a great property in Covina, CA, then you might be sitting on a great investment. The state has one of the most valuable housing markets in the country, so opportunities for landlords are endless.
However, this also means that there's a lot of competition. You need to ensure that your property is always in the best condition for potential tenants.
One way to do this is to have regular rental property inspections. But how often do you need these property inspections?
Here's what you need to know.
What a Property Inspection Entails
When conducting a property inspection, you must assess whether you have a livable rental property.
You'll want to check if the property is clean, has no cracks, doesn't need repairs, etc. This is also the best time to change filters, light bulbs, etc.
Additional aspects for inspection include:
- Smoke alarm batteries
- Fire extinguishers
- Bugs
- Leaking water
- Water damage
- Plumbing issues
- Electrical issues
- Appliance malfunctions
- Window/door issues
As a side note, you might want to hire a community association management company. These companies focus on the maintenance of the community where your property is located. It's an added bonus for your tenant if their community is also as inviting as their home.
For Occupied Properties
It's possible to conduct a rental inspection for an occupied property. You want to let your tenants know about this beforehand.
Make sure you tell them when you plan on conducting the inspection. Research your local property inspection laws before getting started.
Let's presume you have a tenant for a one-year lease. You might want to conduct one rental inspection during the six-month mark.
Some landlords prefer to conduct one inspection every three months. Just make sure you discuss this with your tenants. You want to ensure you don't violate their right to privacy or cause any other issues.
It's always best to include an inspection agreement within your rental agreement.
When a Property Is Vacant
When your property is vacant, you've got a lot of free time for property inspections and maintenance.
Let's say you expect your property to be vacant for three months. Schedule one inspection shortly after it becomes vacant. Schedule another before you start showing your property to potential tenants.
You want to get the property maintained at least once per month. It'll need to be cleaned regularly for it to remain ready to move in at once.
You may also want to join an HOA association in Covina to seek help with property maintenance, inspection, and other issues.
Consider Rental Property Inspections
Now you know the importance of rental property inspections to help you find and keep more tenants.
Make sure you set an agreement for property inspections in your rental agreements. For one-year leases, you can conduct at least one inspection at the six-month mark.
You can also inspect the property when it's vacant. This is also the perfect opportunity to get it cleaned, maintained, and renovated if needed.
Do you need help with these tasks? PMI San Bernardino has helped countless homeowners in Covina. Reach out to us for our property management services.
