Whether you are a prospective buyer of a rental property or a manager of one, rental inspections can be a tedious task. After all, ensuring that the building up for rent is in tip-top shape is the very first step in setting expectations and enhancing tenant satisfaction. Conducting rental inspections, so to speak, is a proactive way to protect your property!
But where exactly should one start? What should be the topmost priority when conducting rental property inspections? More importantly, how does one deal with damages efficiently and economically? Keep reading and take note of the seven rental inspections you shouldn’t skip to avoid costly repairs:
Rental Inspections You Must Know
- Gas Safety Inspection
- Electrical Safety Inspection
- Smoke Alarm Inspection
- Timber Pest Inspection
- Waterproofing Inspection
- Frame Inspection
- Dilapidation Inspection
Let’s have a detailed look –
1. Gas Safety Inspection
If you don’t fancy property damage from gas leaks and explosions and even death from carbon monoxide poisoning, it is high time to do a gas safety inspection for your rental space. Entrust this task only to the most efficient and seasoned experts from Landmark Inspections!
Avoid not only health risks but also untoward damages to your property by assessing the functionality of all your gas appliances and conducting both negative pressure and carbon monoxide tests. To achieve such complicated tasks, employing learned professionals is a must.
2. Electrical Safety Inspection
Suppress potential hazards from overloaded circuits and inadequate wiring by conducting electrical safety inspections now! As electrical faults are a leading cause of house fires and overall property damage, it is best to take extra steps and match the latest safety standards.
Remember that the topmost priority for rental inspections is identifying and minimizing property damages and repair costs. So when it comes to the electrical safety of your rental space, assess all power outlets, switches, and wirings, and take note of every little detail crucial to exemplary electrical safety.
3. Smoke Alarm Inspection
Smoke alarms are an integral part of a building’s fire protection system. Ensuring that such devices are active and functional saves lives and minimizes damages to your property. So don’t cut costs and secure regular smoke alarm inspections for your rental space now.
Installations such as smoke alarms make a difference in maximizing the time one has to respond to fire-related incidents. So spend ample time running decibel tests, assessing optimal locations, and conducting operation checks for your rental property’s smoke alarms.
4. Timber Pest Inspection
Wood decay and degradation, when in great severity, are hard to fight. It could cause irreversible damage to the structure of your rental building. Avoid such (and costly restorations) by identifying and controlling the leading cause—timber pests!
For timber pest inspection, employ knowledgeable inspectors to investigate every corner of your rental building for pest activity and any damages caused by such. Since inspections of the said type are more intricate and specialized, entrust the proper pest control and treatment to the experts. No matter how lengthy, investing in the process will help you save more money in the long run.
5. Timber Pest Inspection Waterproofing Inspection
Another factor to wood degradation and overall structural damage of a rental property is poor waterproofing. Besides pests and other wood-destroying insects, it is also crucial to inspect the building’s waterproofing installations to avoid unwanted molds, leaks, and rots.
One may easily overlook the importance of waterproofing to the condition of a rental property, but the damages such negligence could bring are not so quick to undo. So be proactive and inspect wet areas such as kitchens and bathrooms for adequate waterproofing. Avoid costly repairs for leakage when you can install waterproofing in the first place!
6. Frame Inspection
A building can only stand sturdy and tall with a well-built “skeleton” or frame to give it shape and structure. With substandard framing and poor foundation, one can only expect several damages to the rental building. So to avoid costly repairs, better inspect your property’s frame regularly!
Building components such as concrete slabs, structural steel, roof framing, and bracing are thoroughly assessed and compared to the latest safety standards. With their competent eyes, building inspectors will see through the security of the structure and help you uphold a rental property of safe and excellent condition.
7. Dilapidation Inspection
Under regular use, rental properties are subject to eventual wear and tear. In better circumstances, it will not instantly account for expensive restorations. However, when left unaddressed, such issues may worsen and become real, costly property damage. The solution? Dilapidation inspections!
Before certain parts of the rental property decline beyond repair, look for cracks, leaks, and damages to restore. Assess the condition of every corner through dilapidation inspections and focus on pre-existing defects you can still save! Doing so can help you save a penny or two from more costly restorations.
Final Thoughts
It is crucial to be proactive in protecting your rental property to avoid unwanted damages and costly repairs. Compared to pocket-draining restorations, spending a few resources to conduct regular rental inspections and maintenance won’t hurt as much. So do what you must—consult a rental property inspection company now!