How soon do you start inspections with a new tenant

Question

I start my smoke detector checks 90 days after a tenant moves in to inspect the property. I'm curious what the rest of the BP community does.

Thanks

Beth L. · Answer

Bryan N. I also inspect the property and change the A/C filters every 3 months. However, right now everyone's maintenance schedules are different, so I am changing it so that each property has the same schedule of January, April, July, October, no matter when a tenant moves in. Since most of my properties are close together, this will make the maintenance more efficient.

Matt Devincenzo · Answer

I'm a tenant (in CA) and a 7 year Landlord (in FL). IMO once a month is intrusive if it is only to inspect.

That said I get nearly that level of frequency on my rental properties, however that is due to my Mom taking care of the things like filters and she always has some small project going in the yard or painting or what have you. But if for some reason she didn't have that kind of reason to go by then it would be 90 days.

You're in LA so you may reasonably be able to get a monthly inspection during filter replacement since like FL you run A/C constantly, whereas other areas 3 months is plenty between filter changes.

Jeff Lee · Answer

Is it weird for me to want to inspect my property once per month?

Remy Balogun · Answer

We do quarterly inspections. Make sure that this is included in the lease and they agree to it upfront.

Wade Sikkink · Answer

We change furnance filters every three months. Good opportunity to get a peek inside each apartment and make sure everything looks ok.

Bryan N. · Answer

I use 90 days because I value time and privacy as a valuable commodity today. But, I still want to make sure they aren't going off the deep end in my property. Nice to see that may be a consensus.

William Powers · Answer

I usually start after 6 months and do them every 6 months….Good process.

Aly W. · Answer

Same here now....my contractor changes A/C units quarterly. Usually a new tenant has a few things to call about within the first month of occupancy, so he gets to see how they're settling in.

How soon do you start inspections with a new tenant

8 Replies