Is A Home Inspection Required For My Rental Property

You don’t want to spend half of the rent you receive from your tenants in making the repairs to the house, do you?

Then what will you do if your rental property starts giving you surprises in terms of issues once you rent it?

Well, the solution is simple. Get a home inspection for rental property before signing your lease. This is the best way to stay ahead of those issues and avoid any unforeseen burden on you. 

A home inspection can help you learn about your rental property. Most of all, it can give you an insight into the property in terms of hidden damage or problems.

Simply put, it’s the best way to determine the condition of your rental property.

In this blog, we will take you through the importance of home inspection. We will also discuss what you shall inspect before renting a house – a home inspection checklist for rental property.

We hope this will make your renting process more seamless and less challenging.

So, let’s start.

Why Are Home Inspections Important?

Well, it’s as simple as they help locate hidden damage and find damage before you rent the property to your tenants. You will know the true condition of the property and the damages made by your current tenants.

Furthermore, once you rent the property, you don’t want your tenants complaining about issues like mold, plumbing, electrical, or structural problems, making your life a headache. So, it’s better to address all the issues once and for all instead of getting to know about them one after another.

Home inspections are also important for maintaining a trustworthy and reliable tenant-landlord relationship. With a house free of issues, you can ensure your tenant a safe and peaceful living experience. And this is what home inspections ensure.

During the inspection, inspectors assess different parts of the house, determining their true condition. They also guide you through the minor and major issues, drawing the true picture of the property before you.

Home inspections are like an in-depth evaluation of the property. These can help you decide whether to rent the property or fix the issues. It’s recommended to go with the latter option if an inspector finds major issues.

Home Inspection Checklist for Rental Property

Paint

This is the most basic and important part of a home inspection.

An inspector will check every painted surface, whether the walls or ceilings. They will ensure no scratches, smudges, stains from water damage, or cracks.

If the paint doesn’t look fresh or in good condition, it’s best to fresh coat it. And it’ll be better to do this a week before your tenant is expected to move in.

Additionally, if any cracks are found in the walls, it might indicate a weak foundation and can even lead to termite infestation. Ensure that the inspector also checks these issues before they’re done with the inspection process.

Electrical outlets and circuit box

The electrical outlets across your property should be enough for the expected lifestyle of the tenants. It has to be a general idea. You can’t install new outlets across the house each time you rent the property to a new tenant. Just have at least one outlet in appropriate spots.

For example, you can have separate outlets for TV placement and an air conditioning unit within a living room.

During the inspection, the inspector will check the functioning of the electrical sockets. They will also evaluate the circuit box, loose electrical wires, outdated fuses, etc.

Windows, Doors, and Locks

The inspector will then move to check the condition of the windows. They will open and close every window in the house to see if it’s in good condition.

It will be best to install screens on the windows; this will give an extra point to your property, and it’ll stand out in the market. Also, ensure a latch in the windows to keep them locked, especially if you rent the property to a family with children.

Like windows, an inspector will also open and close every door to ensure it doesn’t creak and close all the way. They will also be checking if the locks are all functional.

Flooring or Carpeting

You might not need an inspector to inspect these. You can do this on your own, too.

But this doesn’t mean it won’t be covered during the inspection.

If your rental property is fully or partially carpeted, look for areas where the carpet might be stained, faded, or ripped because this will catch tenants’ eyes immediately. It’s best to replace the carpet to give your rental property a new, finished look… and make it stand out (once again).

In the case of hardwood floors, look out for scratches. Try to fix them before the tenants move in. If your property’s floor is tiled or marbled, check for missing grout and cracks and address them.

Water damage

If you think the new fresh coat of paint will save you from the water damage to get caught, then you’re wrong. You can’t hide water damage with a fresh coat of paint – not for long, at least.

So, if you’ve water damage in your house, it’s better to address that honestly. And not let your relationship with your potential tenants go to waste just for a few hundred dollars.

Ventilation

Your tenant might overlook this, but you shall not, nor will your home inspector.

An inspector will check if your property is properly ventilated. They will ensure that the improper ventilation doesn’t cause any adverse effect on your tenants’ health.

Plumbing

An inspector will also evaluate your plumbing systems. They will check if the toilet flushes properly and if the drains are not clogged. They will also check whether the faucets are in working order. Lastly, they will determine whether the pipe under the sink leaks.

The inspector will thoroughly inspect issues that are or are not immediately visible. They will look out for anything that has the potential to cause damage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, conducting a home inspection for rental property is the best decision you’ll be making. It won’t only upgrade your property’s condition. But will also foster a strong and honest landlord-tenant relationship.

Keep the home inspection checklist for rental property to ensure your inspector doesn’t miss anything. But, once you hire a professional and certified inspector, you can rest easy and assured that your property is in good hands.

If you’re looking for reliable and experienced inspectors to inspect your property, contact Elite Inspection. We have the best home inspectors who can help you with your thorough property inspections, unveiling the true condition of your rental property.