Routine rental inspections for your Charlotte investment property are important in protecting the condition of your property and ensuring maintenance costs don’t get out of control. You also need to do thorough move-in and move-out inspections to document the condition of the property. Every inspection should be conducted with an eye towards preventative maintenance. Check everything you can when you’re inside the house.
What should your rental inspection checklist include? We have some ideas.
Move-In/Move-Out Charlotte Rental Property Inspections
When you’re conducting your move-in inspection, you need to make sure everything is working the way it should. Turn on every faucet, flush every toilet, check every outlet and turn on all the lights, appliances, and ceiling fans. You want your tenants to move into a home that’s habitable, safe, and functional.
Everything on the checklist should be supported by photos. Take pictures of walls, ceilings, floors, countertops, and systems. This is your opportunity to accurately document the condition of the property at the time that you turn over the keys. Having this inspection checklist completed will help you at the end of the lease period, when you’re conducting a similar inspection with the same checklist and looking for tenant damage and potential security deposit deductions.
Inspect Heat, Air Conditioning, and HVAC Systems
The weather in Charlotte is not terribly extreme. However, you can expect cold temperatures in the winter and very warm summers. There will be rain and wind and sometimes hail and even the occasional tropical storm, heat wave, ice storm, and tornado.
Your tenants will need reliable access to heat and air conditioning. So, your HVAC system has to be working well and efficiently. It’s one of the most expensive functions in your home, so you want to make sure the heating, cooling, and ventilation is in good repair and not in danger of malfunctioning.
Checking your air conditioning unit should be part of every inspection you conduct. Consider contracting with an HVAC technician who can provide an annual inspection. The service fee will be a lot less than what you’ll pay for a repair or a replacement.
Inspect the Rental Property’s Roof
The roof of any home is exposed to sun, rain, debris, and every outdoor weather element that could possibly be thrown at it. There may be insects, pests, and feral animals running across it or trying to build homes inside of it.
Roof inspections should always be on your checklist, whether you’re renting out a single-family home or a multi-family property. Look for missing shingles or signs of deterioration. Look for problems with insulation or any potential ways for water to get inside. Clear any debris and trim back trees. Clean out the gutters at least once or twice a year.
Check for Safety Issues
Every inspection checklist should include safety. Make sure there’s adequate exterior lighting and fix any tip and fall hazards. Windows and doors need to open, close, and lock. If windows aren’t in great shape, consider replacing them. Window coverings should be checked too; you don’t want breaking or snapping window blinds making the property look run-down and unkempt. Make sure there aren’t any security issues around the doors to your property.
Inspect for Leaks and Plumbing Issues
Water can be especially damaging to your Charlotte rental property and the repairs can be expensive to make. Every inspection checklist should include checking for leaks under sinks and around toilets and tubs. Look for any evidence of plumbing problems and inspect the water shut-offs. Make sure your tenants know where to find those shut-offs in case there’s an emergency. Look at the irrigation systems in your landscaping and make sure your property is protected against water intrusion and damage.
If you’d like some help putting together an inspection checklist or conducting inspections, please don’t hesitate to contact us at AM Realty. We are happy to serve as your Charlotte property management resource.