What should you look for during an inspection?

Rental property inspections serve two important functions when it comes to protecting your Phoenix investment property. 

First, it allows you to keep your property well-maintained. While you’re inspecting, you can look for any deferred maintenance or necessary repairs that your resident may not have reported. 

Second, inspections allow you to ensure the tenant is taking good care of the property. You can make sure the lease is being followed and your expectations are being met. 

Let’s take a look at six specific things you don’t want to forget when you’re conducting a routine inspection of your Phoenix rental property.

1. Is Proper Pool Safety in place? 

A lot of rental homes in Phoenix have pools. That’s great because pools are attractive when tenants are looking for a home. However, they also come with a lot of risk, and this inspection is a good opportunity to mitigate that risk. 

Inspect that all the safety features of your pool are in place. This should be done prior to occupancy and during any inspection throughout the lease period. Fences shouldn’t be left propped open, and self-closing gates and other barriers should be tested to ensure they work. If there’s not a fence around the pool, you’ll want to inspect the closures and locks on any doors or windows that allow access to the outdoor space that contains the pool.  

2. Have the Air Conditioning Filters been changed? 

The HVAC systems in Phoenix work overtime, thanks to our long and very hot summers. Make sure you’re getting the air conditioning system serviced and inspected annually, and include a mandate in your lease agreement that tenants change the filters every month. This will prolong the life of your unit. You can send reminders to your tenants or even have the filters delivered on the date that they need to be changed. We have found that inexpensive filters are best as the thicker filters often make the unit work harder to draw air. This can cause long term damage.

3. Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Landlords need to check the batteries of all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace any old units and install new batteries as needed. These should be in proper locations, ideally bedrooms and hallways. You don’t want to see any signs of tampering or evidence that your tenants may have disabled them. 

4. Check for Leaks

Pay attention to even minor leaks and look for dripping faucets or water gathering under sinks. Discolored walls can provide a hint that there might be a leak, and check your cabinets. Mold can grow quickly if a leak develops in your property, and you’ll want to take care of any plumbing issues right away. 

Not every leak or drip is going to indicate a huge plumbing expense. Possible causes for leaks under sinks could be as simple as a valve needing to be tightened or a seal becoming old. This is normal wear and tear, and it’s often overlooked by tenants. Immediate attention will prevent great damage. 

5. Keeping a Phoenix Rental Home Clean

You’ll need to respect that everyone has different standards of cleanliness. You can’t expect your tenants to be as detailed as you might be. However, you can expect your tenants to prevent pests and deterioration. During your inspection, take a look at the general condition of the home and make sure your residents are taking good care of it. 

6. Lease Enforcement Check-In

Finally, make sure your tenants are following the terms of your lease agreement. If you have a strict no-pets policy and you notice dog bowls and cat litter, you’ll want to have a conversation with your residents about what may be happening. Make sure there isn’t any evidence of smoke in a smoke-free property, and make a note of any extra residents who appear to be living at the property but aren’t on the lease agreement. 

Routine inspections protect the value and the condition of your investment property. If you need help with them, we’re here. Contact our team at Service Star Realty. 

Other Blogs you may find useful:

Escaping the Nightmare of Tenant Advocacy Groups

How a Property Management Company Protects Your Investment Property in Phoenix

Should Phoenix Landlords Hire Licensed Home Contractors for Rental Property Repairs?