One of the main things required of you as a tenant is to pay your rent in full and on time every month, but the other important responsibility you have is to keep the property in good, clean working order throughout the duration of your tenancy. Here are some tips to ensure you are complying with the rental property conditions and pass inspections made by property managers with flying colours.
Ensure Lease Agreement have a Condition Report
The conditions of the property will be outlined in your lease agreement and a good agent should encourage you to read the lease in detail and ask any questions before you sign the lease and collect the keys. Attached to the lease should be a defects and condition report which notates which areas of the property are marked, damaged, etc. Make sure you read it and agree with the property condition prior to signing the lease.
Rental Repairs and Maintenance
It is the landlords’ responsibility to ensure that the rental property is in good working order and functioning in good order. As a tenant, it is crucial to understand what your rights and obligations are – especially when it comes to repairs. Most tenancies come with a standard lease agreement that ensures the agent can arrange trades people to fix essential issues such as leakage, broken appliances, hot water not working and other issues that arise.
6 Month Rental Inspections
To ensure that the property is being well maintained, your landlord and/or real estate agent has the right to do a routine inspection of your home once every 6 months during your tenancy, with between 24 hours and 7 days advance notice given to you of their intention to inspect. This varies from state to state, but will be detailed in your lease agreement. Your agent should give you plenty of notice in advance, yet you can always set yourself a calendar reminder so you know it is approaching and it doesn’t conflict with holidays or guests staying with you.
Clean the Rental Property Prior to Inspection
A good tenant keeps their rental property clean and tidy throughout their entire tenancy, not just in preparation for the periodic inspection. The purpose of an inspection is to ensure your home is being maintained in the same condition as you received it, and this is determined by comparing the ingoing Condition Report to the current condition. Having it cleaned prior to the property manager arrival is a great idea and using deodorizers or fragrance sprays is worth the $5 they cost from the local supermarket. It’s also recommended that you clear away any dishes, clothing, towels or clutter before the inspection.
Attend the Rental Property Inspection
Where possible, it is important one of the tenants is present during the inspection so you can address any concerns raised by the agent. Your agency will compare and review the state and condition of areas such as windows, walls, floor coverings, light fittings, kitchen cabinets, sinks and appliances, bathroom fittings, exhaust fans, drains, the exterior including pools, patios and gardens for example.
If your property manager finds a contradiction of the tenancy agreement, you can address it personally if you are present. If not, you will be notified by the agency and, in some cases, your property manager will need to come back for a subsequent inspection to ensure the outstanding matter has been resolved. So being present is a more efficient way to ensure the property inspection is a success.
What Property Managers Focus on during a Rental Property Inspection
Property Managers will check for things like mould and whether you have been cleaning exhaust fans in the bathroom, and the range hood over the stove. They may check the carpet for stains, if the windows have been recently cleaned and they will definitely check gardens or outdoor areas to see that they are being taken care of.
Wall Hooks!
Your lease will have specifically outlined whether or not you can put hooks into the walls to hang pictures, whether you can have pets, and who the tenants are that are living in the property. These are often the things people get caught out on in inspections. If there is no request for permission to put hooks up or have a pet, or move in extra tenants, you may find yourself with some issues regarding your tenancy.
Tips for Air Circulation
Lack of ventilation can become a major concern, so it’s very important you open windows as regularly as possible to let fresh air circulate. Exhaust fans in kitchens, bathrooms and laundries should always be free from lint and cobwebs otherwise this can encourage mould to form, which is the last thing you or your property manager want.
Why Vacumming is Important?
Infrequent vacuuming of carpets and flooring can lead to severe health issues as debris including pollutants, hair and skin particles can get trapped within carpets fibres and accumulate. Maintaining clean carpets and flooring means they will last longer and that keeps everyone happy.
Keep Records of Maintenance Requests
As a tenant, the best strategy is to read your lease thoroughly when you move in, know what you have to ask permission for, and what you are responsible for. Keep a record of any maintenance requests you have made in writing to your property manager, and note the dates of the inspections you have had so far.
Property managers are usually pretty friendly and they want to keep good tenants in the property for its owners.
DISCLAIMER
The following advice is of a general nature only and intended as a broad guide. The advice should not be regarded as legal, financial or real estate advice. You should make your own inquiries and obtain independent professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances before making any legal, financial or real estate decisions. Click here for full Terms of Use.