House Inspections

When preparing for your first house inspection it’s good to know what’s expected of you and why you’re doing all this work. We’ve put together a guide on how to have your property ready for any inspection.

What is a house inspection and why do we do it?

Usually when you start renting a property, you’ll have an initial inspection between 4-6 weeks and every three months afterwards. A minimum notice of 48 hours in writing is required for an inspection and they can only be carried out every three months unless agreed in writing.

During an inspection, the property manager will take photos inside and out to get an accurate record of the condition of the property. They’re looking for things such as:

• If the property is maintained (clean and tidy) inside and out.
• That there is no damage to the property.
• No extra people are living in the property.
• No pets unless stated otherwise.
• If there are any maintenance issues.

Having your house clean and tidy for a routine inspection is very important. Not only does it mean you’re more likely to get a good reference for future properties, but the condition of the property can be checked easier to see whether any damage needs fixing.

Things to do before a house inspection:

1. Clean your house regularly!

Having a clean and tidy property is not just important for the property manager to tick off but also important for the health and wellbeing of all people living in the property. Regular cleaning can help with dust, allergens, germs, and bacteria. We understand that life happens, and things can get out of control, but coming home to a clean house can make a difference.

2. Tidy up.

Ensure that clutter on bench tops has been stored in appropriate places. Put any dirty laundry and dishes away.

3. Take special care with bathrooms and kitchens.

This is where regular cleaning will come in handy. Bathrooms and kitchens can often have a lot of bacteria and mould. Ensure showers, baths, sinks and toilets have all been thoroughly cleaned.

4. Don’t forget the out of sight stuff.

Things like dusting heat pumps and fans, wiping down front of cupboards, sanitise light switches and change any dead light bulbs.

5. Ensure the garden is tidy.

Mow lawns, trim the edges, pull out weeds, sweep. Regularly trimming hedges and shrubs is also handy.

6. Report any maintenance issues.

While your property manager is on site, they can assess any maintenance issues and take them back to the owner.

House inspections can be a tricky when you have never had one before. Hopefully this guide will help you with any future inspections, making the process a lot smoother.

Happy cleaning!