Understanding Property Inspections: What Tenants Should Expect
Thu 27 Jul 2023
Routine property inspections are a requirement of your tenancy agreement and are intended to serve the interests of both you and your landlord. If your rental property is managed by Wills and Smerdon, we will organise these visits so that we can confirm to your landlord that the property is kept up-to-date and that any required repairs or issues are swiftly rectified.
1. Notice before inspection: We are required to provide you with a minimum of 24 hours notice before the inspection although we will usually give you a few weeks notice. We will schedule a mutually convenient time for the inspection.
2. Inspection frequency: Inspections will take place every three to six months in accordance with your tenancy agreement. Older properties are likely to require more frequent visits as more maintenance is likely to be needed. Of course, if work has been carried out at your property we may need to book a visit in order to check the work but we will be in touch with you in order to arrange these additional visits.
3. Purpose of inspection: The major goal is to check the condition of the property, confirm that everything is in working order, and spot any maintenance problems or potential repairs that might be required. Naturally, it is also our opportunity to look for any potential violations of your tenancy agreement, such as unpermitted pets or subletting but we will not be making any comments on your lifestyle unless it is likely to cause damage or deterioration to the property.
Please see your tenancy agreement for full details of your obligations which should include the following requirements for repair and cleaning of your rental home:
6. Documentation: It is usual practice for us to take photos during the inspection in order to record any issues we notice. This is to keep track of the property's condition and any potential problems. We will try hard not to photography any of your personal items, but we encourage you to put away any sensitive items before the visit.
7. Communication: Any maintenance issues or concerns that we notice during the inspection will be discussed with you or you will be notified in writing after the visit. We will let you know if any repairs or upgrades need to be done. As a tenant you are obliged to do "little jobs around the home" so this is a good opportunity to discuss what is required of you and what is down to your landlord in terms of property maintenance.
8. Your privacy will be respected. Without your consent, we will not open cabinets or access your private items, and we will not unnecessarily interfere with your daily routine.
9. Report and follow-up: We will provide you with a written report outlining our findings following the inspection. We will notify you if there are any concerns that need to be resolved.
If your rental property is not managed by Wills and Smerdon it is likely that visits will be carried out by your landlord, however, in some instances your landlord might request us to carry out a visit on their behalf. If you have any questions regarding any aspect of your tenancy, please get in touch with us HERE
So what should you expect from a routine property inspection?
1. Notice before inspection: We are required to provide you with a minimum of 24 hours notice before the inspection although we will usually give you a few weeks notice. We will schedule a mutually convenient time for the inspection.
2. Inspection frequency: Inspections will take place every three to six months in accordance with your tenancy agreement. Older properties are likely to require more frequent visits as more maintenance is likely to be needed. Of course, if work has been carried out at your property we may need to book a visit in order to check the work but we will be in touch with you in order to arrange these additional visits.
3. Purpose of inspection: The major goal is to check the condition of the property, confirm that everything is in working order, and spot any maintenance problems or potential repairs that might be required. Naturally, it is also our opportunity to look for any potential violations of your tenancy agreement, such as unpermitted pets or subletting but we will not be making any comments on your lifestyle unless it is likely to cause damage or deterioration to the property.
Please see your tenancy agreement for full details of your obligations which should include the following requirements for repair and cleaning of your rental home:
- To keep the interior of the premises including any fixtures and fittings in good repair and condition (excepting only those installations which the landlord is liable to repair under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985) and also to keep the interior of the premises in good decorative order and condition.
- To use the premises in a tenant-like manner and to take reasonable care of the premises including any fixtures and fittings and to keep the premises and any fixtures and fittings in a clean and tidy condition.
- To make good all damages, breakages, and losses that may occur caused by the act or omission of the tenant or any person who is residing or sleeping in or visiting the premises (with the exception of fair wear and tear).
- To keep all electric lights in good working order and in particular to replace all fuses, bulbs, fluorescent tubes and fluorescent starter switches as and when necessary.
- To replace all broken glass promptly with the same quality glass, where the tenant or any person who is residing or sleeping in or visiting the premises causes the breakage.
- To notify the landlord promptly, and preferably in writing, as soon as any repairs and other matters falling within the landlord’s obligations to repair the premises or the fixtures and fittings come to the notice of the Ttenant.
- To keep the windows clean.
- To take all appropriate precautions to ensure adequate ventilation.
- To clean and disinfect any and all showerheads every six months.
Tenancy clause wording: "To permit the landlord, or any superior landlord, or the landlord’sagent or contractors or those authorised by the landlord, upon giving at least 24 hours’ notice in writing (except in an emergency) to enter the premises at all reasonable times for the purpose of inspection and repair, to include inspection and repair to any adjoining or neighbouring premises."
5. Duration of inspection: Depending on the size and condition of the property, the inspection typically lasts between 15 and 60 minutes.6. Documentation: It is usual practice for us to take photos during the inspection in order to record any issues we notice. This is to keep track of the property's condition and any potential problems. We will try hard not to photography any of your personal items, but we encourage you to put away any sensitive items before the visit.
7. Communication: Any maintenance issues or concerns that we notice during the inspection will be discussed with you or you will be notified in writing after the visit. We will let you know if any repairs or upgrades need to be done. As a tenant you are obliged to do "little jobs around the home" so this is a good opportunity to discuss what is required of you and what is down to your landlord in terms of property maintenance.
8. Your privacy will be respected. Without your consent, we will not open cabinets or access your private items, and we will not unnecessarily interfere with your daily routine.
9. Report and follow-up: We will provide you with a written report outlining our findings following the inspection. We will notify you if there are any concerns that need to be resolved.
If your rental property is not managed by Wills and Smerdon it is likely that visits will be carried out by your landlord, however, in some instances your landlord might request us to carry out a visit on their behalf. If you have any questions regarding any aspect of your tenancy, please get in touch with us HERE