Imagine this. You are a first-time renter and you have just received your first entry notice telling you that you have a routine inspection coming up in a week. What do you do? A lot of my friends have asked me in a panic, “What do Property Managers look out for during my routine inspections?”.
Contrary to what some people may think, a routine inspection is not a housework inspection. While you should ensure that the property is being maintained in good condition with regular cleaning as per the terms of the General Tenancy Agreement and the Entry Condition Report, our Property Managers acknowledge and appreciate that people are living there. In some cases, a Property Manager may ask you to clean a particular item to prevent future damage or health and safety issues. In this case, the Property Manager will always explain why cleaning is necessary.
So, what is the main thing Property Managers look out for? The main reason Property Managers conduct routine inspections is to check if there are any repair, maintenance or health and safety issues. We check for water leaks, evidence of pests, damage or deterioration to the property, we ensure any inclusions and property fixtures are working, and we look at any future maintenance items that may need to be addressed.
Of course, if a significant breach is found, a breach notice to rectify the issue may be issued. If you think you may be in breach of your lease agreement, you can always read through the terms and conditions of your General Tenancy Agreement or contact the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) for advice. A significant breach by a tenant involves any of the following:
When do Routine Property Inspections take place?
These inspections usually take place 3 or 4 times per year. You will be notified in writing no less than 7 days prior to the routine inspection (unless otherwise agreed) to ensure you are properly prepared and for you to make the necessary arrangements if you wish to be present for the inspection, or if you need to find a pet sitter. If you would like to get a better understanding of exactly when the Property Manager will be showing up for the routine inspection, have a look at the entry notice (we usually provide a 2-hour window) or give your Property Manager a call for an estimated time of arrival. In most cases, we will not be able to provide an exact arrival time (unless otherwise arranged) as the exact time will vary depending on the duration of routine inspection/s before your routine inspection.
Of course, if you have any questions about your routine inspections with us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.