Things to Check After 1 Year?

Question

Hello,

I've had great tenants in the property for a year now.  It is a new construction home built a couple years back.  No pets.  But very active little kids.  Lease renewal was just sent out for signature.  What recommendations do you have in terms of what to take a look at/action items after 1 year?  We did a 6-month inspection a few months back, nothing really turned up.

Andrew Syrios · Answer

We try to an annual inspection in our rented units. Main things we are looking for are:

1) Are residents keeping property in decent shape

2) Any leaks or issues that could lead to substantial damage

3) Any capital repair concerns (mostly foundation) that we might need to address

4) Long term guests who aren't on the lease, pets who they're not supposed to have, etc.

We also change the furnace filters (because we don't trust them to do that), clean off the AC units and are considering cleaning the gutters for an added fee if tenants request it.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Walk-through inspection. Look through the entire property to ensure it is maintained. Look for any maintenance issues that tenant perhaps failed to report. Change batteries on smoke detectors and CO2 detectors. Verify air filter has been changed regularly. Make sure tenant knows how to flip breakers, turn off the water main, relight water heater pilot, etc.

Corby Goade · Answer

We use Zinspector and complete a new inspection once per year. The process is always the same, so it's easy to document any damages or changes. The ap walks you through the entire inspection, so it's pretty simple.

Jake Knight · Answer

Also forgot to mention that it also allows you to address an issue before it gets out of hand and gives you a perspective on your renewal prospects for that tenant.

Jake Knight · Answer

I like everything Andrew posted but generally speaking your ensuring the tenant/resident is residing in the property in a way that is in accordance with the lease agreement they signed.  It all starts with the lease, that's what start the expectations.  Usually, you can get a good sense by simply walking through the home to see how they are living in it.  It should be obvious if there are unreported issues.  However, these walk throughs are fool-proof, it's just a measure to check in on the property.

Alecia Loveless · Answer

@Yousuf Kaleem Change the batteries in the smoke detectors. We’ve been finding more and more tenants just taking them out when the battery starts to die and they’re chirping.

There have been some recent posts about investors that had their property burned down and insurance wouldn’t cover it because it was determined the batteries were not working in the smokes. Scary stuff.

Roger Lemley · Answer

Personally, I like to essentially do a move in inspection. Anything I want a tenant to tell me about when they move in, I check for at the renewal.

Things to Check After 1 Year?

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