Out of the 122.8 million households in the United States, 36% of them are made up of renters. While many renters take great care of their properties, others cause a lot of damage.
Landlords who want to protect their investments need to ensure that their renters are taking care of their rental property. While vetting tenants well in the first place can help to cut down on property damage, rental property inspections can be helpful as well.
Here are the 4 types of inspections that landlords should know about in Kansas City, MO.
1. Move-in Inspection
A move-in inspection is also known as a walk-through inspection. It's performed after a new tenant signs a lease but before they move in.
During the inspection, a landlord and tenant will examine a rental property together and look for pre-existing damage. They'll then document any damage that the unit has and take photos and videos of issues that they see.
After the inspection, the landlord and tenant can sign a checklist which can be added to the lease.
This inspection will help ensure that a rental landlord knows if the tenant causes any damage later on. It can also help a tenant avoid getting blamed for pre-existing damage.
2. Quarterly Inspection
A quarterly inspection or routine inspection will occur periodically throughout the year.
Typically, the purpose of this rental inspection is for a landlord to check the property condition and whether the terms and conditions of the lease are being met. For example, a landlord may look for the signs of a pet if pets aren't allowed on the property.
Before a routine inspection, a landlord will need to give notice in advance based on local regulations.
3. Drive-by Inspection
While a landlord needs to give advance notice for a routine or quarterly inspection, they won't need to notify a tenant about a drive-by inspection. During a drive-by inspection, a landlord will simply drive by the property and take note of any problems they see.
Because no notice is given, this type of inspection can be very useful for a landlord. It can help them spot anything out of the ordinary on the exterior and a guest won't have the chance to hide anything they don't want a landlord to see.
4. Move-out inspection
A move-out inspection occurs when a tenant decides to leave a property. During this inspection, a landlord will inspect the property to check for property damage and other issues. Ideally, you'll want to perform a move-out inspection with the tenant present.
If the property has been damaged, a landlord may be able to withhold a tenant's security deposit after they move out. Documenting damage properly will help a landlord meet Kansas security deposit laws and prove they didn't wrongly hold the deposit.
Understanding Rental Property Inspections
To manage your property well, understand the 4 main types of rental property inspections. Inspecting your property will help you maintain your investment and prevent issues with tenants.
SCUDO is a locally owned and operated property management company and real estate brokerage in the heart of Johnson County. We're here to guide you through real estate and help protect your interests and investments.
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