Landlord Inspection for 6mo Lease?

Question

We are accidental landlords who rented out our house in a middle/upper income neighborhood for 6 months to get through the winter and then put the home back on the market for sale.  We have an inspection clause in our lease  that allows for it but just not sure if it's appropriate/necessary for such a short lease? I know my husband would happily pass on it but I'm not so sure...Thoughts/advice? Thanks

Miranda Crown · Answer

Awesome, thank you all!  Great feedback

Gerald K. · Answer

6 months isn't that long but for new tenants you have no history with, it doesn't hurt to take a look and it sends a message to them that you care about how they are taking care of your investment. Some people like to make a surprise visit, but you may only be able to see a little and it could be a bad time. It would be good to have a plan in place for what to do if you find things not taken care of the way you want, such as allowing them time to correct the issue and when you would be back to inspect. Therefore, you could be upfront with them and let them know you want to do a safety/maintenance and housekeeping inspection. You could send them a list of things to check so you could prepare for any repairs and provide them some tips on what things you will be checking so they can pass the inspection. It's nice to have a process in place from the beginning, but in any case, you have a right to inspect your property with proper notice. Make the housekeeping standards check align with your existing rental agreement. For example, you can't expect them to do yard maintenance if the rental agreement doesn't say it's their responsibility.

Scott Sewell · Answer

Hi Miranda,

We always do a "Life Safety" inspection every 3-4 months. The disclosed purpose is to check smoke alarms, CO detectors, fire extinguishers, etc. You might add furnace filters, or a quick boiler or AC check, etc. And we do all of these, replacing batteries and making notes of maintenance issues. But our primary reason (other than these items) for these inspections is to have a look around and get an idea of how each tenant is treating the property. We always give 24 hrs. notice (required by law here), but once we do we let them know we're inspecting whether they are there or not.

Hope this helps.

Colleen F. · Answer

It gives you the right to do it so I would do it just to see the place is in general order. I would just let them know someone will be stopping by to make sure everything is okay.  Do a quick walk through, ask them if everything is working are their any issues.   Check for the right number of people and anything broken or non-functional.  I don't say I'm inspecting.  If the place looks nice I say so too.  People seem to like to hear that.  It doesn't really matter the length of the lease, it is about whether they are taking care of things and telling you if something breaks.  If there are items I know people have problems working I say any problems with the washer etc.. Oh and you also catch animals that should not be there.

J. Martin · Answer

It sounds like it might stay in the back of your mind until you get it done, so why don't you just do it for your own peace of mind? You can say "we just want to come take a look around, make sure there are no pipes leaking, no moisture from condensation in bathrooms or around windows, and that everything is in good working order for your use, and our eventual sale of the house" (if they already know your plans).

Especially if you have any suspicions.. It can't hurt and won't take much time. Just schedule it with them so it's not too much of an inconvenience for either of you..