Annual Inspections and Billing Tenant Back

[Curt Thomas]

I never see anything talked about or written on the proper way to conduct an Annual (or bi-annual) inspection on a rental.

Conducting the inspections without charging the tenant for maintenance (if) needed seems pointless. 

On move in, we charge a non-refundable move-in fee in place of security deposit - because of tough tenant-friendly laws in Chicago on SDs.

We have in our lease addendum that we will conduct bi-annual inspections. We will video and take pictures of items that need fixing beyond normal wear and tear. 

Do you just fix those items and bill the tenant afterward, or charge them first then come back out to fix after approved? 

Where is the line drawn on normal wear and tear on items like chipped flooring, ripped screens, evidence of unapproved pets, broken hardware/fixtures? 

Here are a few items we came across recently.