Completing regular inspections of your rental properties may seem like a chore, but all good landlords should make the effort. Not only does it ensure there are no issues that you’re unaware of, but it also helps to maintain a good relationship with your tenants.
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Landlords are not legally obliged to carry out inspections and tenants don’t need to let them in, unless in the event of an emergency. Normally, however, periodic inspections take place without issue to maintain a harmonious relationship between both parties.
It’s beneficial for the landlord and tenants to communicate amicably and arrange a mutually convenient date and time.
How often can a landlord inspect a property?
The frequency of buy-to-let property inspections is down to the landlord’s discretion, as there’s no timescale set by law. However, there are certain statutory safety inspections for the gas and electricity that are separate from general checks.
You must arrange mandatory gas safety checks annually and electrical safety checks by a fully qualified electrician every five years. Other than this, there are no legal requirements for the frequency of general inspections.
In the event of a rented property inspection, what kind of things should you look out for?
Damp and mould
Damp and mould can be hazardous to tenant health and can also damage the building. The most common cause is condensation, which is usually worse in autumn and winter. It can cause mould when moisture in the air comes into contact with the windows or other cold surfaces.
If you find mould spores, flaking paint and dark patches on the walls, combined with a musty smell, it could mean you have a damp problem.
Mould looks unpleasant and can cause severe respiratory problems, so check all the rooms, especially external walls and bathrooms, for mildew and mould, which can worsen if the tenant isn’t heating or ventilating the property. Have a chat with them if so and devise a solution.
Older properties may not have an extractor fan in the bathroom. If this is the case, installing one can help alleviate mould issues. If there’s any damp coming through external walls, it could be because of leaking pipes or faulty gutters. This must be fixed urgently before it becomes a bigger issue.
Pests
An infestation of pests can be anything from mice, bed bugs and moths to fleas and cockroaches. All of these can be difficult to eradicate and can be distressing for tenants. If a severe infestation is discovered, it’s best to hire the services of a professional as soon as possible.
If you have wasps or bees nesting around the property, especially in the gutter or sneaking into the loft, contact a professional beekeeper, who can remove the nest safely.
Ask tenants to notify you in future of any recurrence as soon as possible.
Plumbing issues
Plumbing issues such as blocked drains, sink or toilet can smell unpleasant and can also cause problems with damp.
Some drains on the property are the landlord’s responsibility, but other issues may be caused by a bigger blockage in the public drainage system, causing waste to back up along the street. In this case, it’s the water service provider’s remit to repair.
If the tenant has caused a blockage, they will be liable for the repairs. Remind them to report any such problems, rather than waiting for the inspection.
Other blockage issues can be caused by throwing cooking fat down the sink, so remind tenants to dispose of it in a responsible manner, such as waiting for it to cool and solidify and putting it in a plastic bag in the wheelie bin.
General cleanliness
While the vast majority of tenants will keep their property clean, as it’s their home, some will have lapses in hygiene.
As a landlord, you can’t tell them how to live, but you can point out if you feel the hygiene and cleanliness standards are unreasonable.
Have a tactful chat with your tenants to point out the potential hazards they’re causing and issue a friendly reminder to clean up and avoid possible health risks.
Signs of subletting
Look out for possible signs of subletting, which would be contrary to the terms of the contract.
This could include continual extra rubbish, leaving the wheelie bins overflowing every week, signs of habitation in other areas of the house aside from the tenant’s bedroom, or seeing other people continually at the property during your visits.
Sometimes, neighbours may complain when they see you if there has been any antisocial behaviour. In some cases, if your tenant is going away abroad for a lengthy trip, or has a change in circumstances, a situation may arise where they would wish to sublet a room to another tenant.
In this case, they must be upfront about it and make a written request to the landlord, giving you time to consider it and make your response.
Damage
A major reason for periodic inspections is to check for damage to your property, furniture, fixtures and fittings. This is especially important if you let furnished houses and flats with furniture packages included.
If the tenants have damaged any of the items you have supplied due to irresponsible behaviour, it’s their responsibility to pay for repairs or a replacement item. This can include having a party where something has been broken, or causing cigarette burns to the sofa.
However, if you find the furniture is in poor condition due to age-related wear and tear, or general use, it’s your responsibility to replace it.
Using the services of a professional company that supplies and delivers furniture for landlords means it need not be a hassle to replace old items.
Fire hazards
Keeping your property and tenants fire-safe is your legal duty, so always make sure you supply smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, as this is the law. You must also test them periodically to make sure they’re working and remind tenants to let you know if any of them fail.
Look out for other potential hazards such as furniture and other items blocking an escape route, overloaded sockets, etc.
All in all, periodic inspections may be time-consuming, but they are vital to ensure your tenants and property remain safe.