As a property owner, it is best to inform the tenants that they are also responsible for keeping your Bozeman rental property clean. This is important since the value of your property is dependent on its overall condition. But some tenants do not do their share of cleaning and property maintenance. Failing to check up on your tenants may result in finding cleanliness is an issue once it becomes a much bigger problem.
Regular property inspections are an important part of your property management process. But in the business of owning rental properties, the methods of property inspections are varied. Knowing why inspections are important, how to create and carry out an inspection schedule, and how to talk with your tenant about cleanliness are all things that a successful property owner needs to know.
Doing regular property inspections is essential for the following reasons: It provides valuable insight if your tenant honors the terms of the lease as well as quickly catching any developing problems. Tenants naturally have different ideas about cleanliness. A dirty house or yard may or may not be a concern for some people. For some, the cleanliness of the home is none of the owner’s business. However, this is definitely not true. If you don’t clean your dirty house or yard, serious problems can come about like structural damage, bad odors, pest infestations, and more. Catching repairs early can save you from expensive repairs down the road and keep the security deposit untouched.
Because property inspections are important, it is also important that these are done in an organized way. As a property owner, you have several different kinds of inspections in your property management toolbox. The move-in inspection can help you establish a baseline for your property’s condition, helpful if you need to assess wear and tear or property damage later on. Then there are drive-by inspections, which as the name suggests, lets you drive by your rental property to see visible issues with the property’s exterior.
But it must be emphasized that regular inspections are the most important inspections for safety and cleanliness in the property’s interior. The set number of inspections per year could vary. Property owners differ from each other, as they often do not have the same schedule for inspections. Some do it annually while others check on the rental house every three or six months. Annual inspections are the most common and often the most convenient for both parties. It provides property owners with the correct assessment for the property’s condition as well as not creating undue hardship for the tenants.
A word of advice, do not inspect the property too often because your constant intrusions can frustrate your tenant. However, if you find cleanliness problems from your previous inspections, you might be inclined to increase your frequency of visits until you are reasonably sure that your tenant has made sure to keep your property clean. This is also necessary especially if you discover your tenant has an unauthorized pet or unauthorized people living in the house. For every inspection, it is important to document everything you find in photos and writing.
Cleanliness inspections are a tricky topic with tenants but this doesn’t need to be the case. You can manage a tenant’s expectations for property inspections by including an inspection schedule in the lease. Proper notice must be given to the tenant of your purpose before you visit the property. Establishing good communication with your tenant can make your property inspections much easier for everyone, and help you check the property as needed.
If there is a request for the tenant to clean up the property, this should be done in writing. By giving clear requests and a detailed list of tasks, you and your tenant know what to expect. You may also include photographs since this will create a strong paper trail in case the need arises.
When done routinely and appropriately, regular property inspections can help you make sure that your tenants are keeping your rental property clean. When your tenants know that you are keeping a close watch on things, you provide a stronger incentive for them to keep your property tidy.
Need help coming up with a lease, or maybe you’d rather not deal with your tenants at all? Feel free to reach out to Real Property Management Bozeman and talk to one of our property managers at 406-586-2226 or contact us online.
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