Routine Inspection for Tenants - The General Guide and FAQs
What is a routine inspection?
A routine inspection (or a landlord property inspection) is conducted throughout the lease period to ensure there is no damage or other issues in the rental property. The person conducting the property should respect that someone lives in the property, and it is not a judgement on how tidy surfaces are, but rather to ensure the property is kept in a clean state and there is no damage. These inspections are also about rental safety and should be conducted with respect to tenants’ rights.
How much notice should I be given?
Each state has its own regulations around the minimum notice period to give a tenant prior to an inspection. In New South Wales, according to Fair Trading NSW, a property can be inspected up to four times in a 12-month period. Seven days written notice must be given to the tenant(s).
Make sure you follow the rules relevant to your respective state regarding inspection notice.
During COVID-19, how does it impact my routine inspection?
Due to the current health emergency, we may not be able to conduct these inspections in person. We do however need to inspect the condition of the property, so we are asking tenants to assist us, so we do not have to access your rental property physically and avoid close contact.
Instead, we use an online platform (mobile friendly) known as ‘Property Space’. The website can be accessed via a URL, and you will be able to complete the inspection by providing us with photos and comments for every section of your rental property.
What are the benefits?
As part of our service to the property owners and tenants, we conduct routine inspections to determine if there is any maintenance required in order to provide a reasonable comfort and safe living environment for the tenant(s).
One of the main benefits of a routine inspection is allowing the tenant(s) to bring up any issues related to the rental property that needed attention and repairs.
Be sure to make a list of any issues that you have before the inspection so that any repairs or upkeep can be actioned accordingly in a timely manner.
What if I am away, can I negotiate the time?
Yes, please communicate with your property manager to reschedule a time. However, the landlord can enter your property with sufficient notice given, with a valid purpose.
As a tenant, we strongly recommend you to be present during the inspection. If the landlord must access the property without you being at home, please ensure someone you know is present during the inspection.
How to prepare for routine inspection?
The biggest mistake tenants make when it comes to routine inspections is leaving all the preparations until the last minute. This will not only make the entire process stressful, exhausting and you are more likely to miss the minor details.
You will receive at least one week’s written notice to prepare for your inspection.
How long does it take for a routine inspection?
A typical in-person routine inspection will take between 15 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the property.
Do I need to be present during the inspection?
We strongly encourage you to be present during the inspection so we may discuss any areas of concern related to the property. If you do not wish to be or could not be present due to any circumstances, we could organise access to your rental property (with your consent) using our set of spare keys.
We would also recommend that you delegate someone you know to be present on your behalf if possible.
Guides to fair wear and tear vs damage
According to NSW Fair Trading, fair wear and tear is the deterioration that occurs from everyday use. Whereas damage is caused by tenants, not caused by ageing.
Below table indicates what is fair wear and tear (landlords are responsible) and what is damage (tenants are responsible):
Source: Fair Trading – Ending a tenancy
https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/renting/ending-a-tenancy
One thing property managers keep a close eye on during a routine inspection is mould. Mould can gather in dark and damp areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms and basements. It’s important to allow plenty of fresh air to circulate and let sufficient sunlight into the property for at least one hour per day.
Damages outside of fair wear and tear include chipped benchtops in the kitchen, scratched tiles and timber floor boards, marks on the walls, ceiling, floor and stains on the carpet.
At Location Property Group, we strive to provide superior property management services to our clients – both the landlords and the tenants. Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 02 9439 3188.
