Whether you’re a property owner or a tenant in Australia, rental inspections are a vital part of the game. Tenants, listen up: cleaning your pad and prepping it for inspection is key to securing that bond back.
But knowing just how spotless your place needs to be to ace that inspection checklist can be a challenge. We’re here to break down what it takes to get your crib inspection-ready.
We’ll also tackle some common questions about the routine inspection process and the cost of sprucing up. With this guide, you’ll have your property in prime shape for a successful end-of-lease inspection.
Overview of rental property inspection
When it comes to how spick-and-span your rental needs to be for a rental inspection, it’s all about knowing the game. A rental property inspection is like a scheduled house call from the landlord or property manager to check out the condition of the place and make sure everything is playing by the rules of the tenancy agreement. This is part of the contract all tenants sign before moving into the pad.
The motivation for these routine rental inspections is for landlords to scope out any necessary repairs or damages and get a feel for the overall state of their property. It’s a solid way to check if the tenant is taking proper care of the house. Also, for some legal reasons, these inspections are key for landlords to safeguard their investments.
What to expect during a rental house inspection
As a landlord or property manager, there are some things you should check for during rental inspections including maintenance issues to ensure a smooth rental inspection. They usually include the following:
Checking for repairs
During an inspection, the landlord will look for any repairs that need to be done— from broken taps, cracked tiles, clogged toilets, and other things that need to be fixed. This part of the inspection is important because any defects within the premises must be addressed to ensure that the tenant’s living conditions are comfortable and secure.
Assessing cleanliness and maintenance standards
The landlord or property manager will assess if the property is in a habitable condition or not. This involves checking the kitchen countertops, carpets, bathrooms, and floors. Also, the appliances and furniture must be inspected to ensure they are in working condition.
Landlords are allowed to take photos during the inspection but they should be of the property and not of your personal belongings specifically.
Examining security measures
A real estate agent or a property manager in charge of a building or property, must also consider the security of the rental house and ensure it is safe for tenants, while carrying out the rental inspection process.
This involves checking the doors and windows, and ensuring that there are no possible fire hazards or traps or other threats within the premises.
How to get your property cleaned for a rental inspection
Ensuring your crib is squeaky clean and looking sharp for inspection is critical. A tidy house doesn’t just make a solid first impression, but it also flexes your property-care skills. As you pump out a cleaning checklist, here’s the lowdown on other processes to get your property ripped and ready for that rental inspection.
Tackle stains
Look, stains, especially those on carpets, can be a real buzzkill, so you have to fix those before that inspection comes knocking. You might want to try doing your cleaning with a carpet cleaner, or if things get really tough, you might have to call in the professional cleaners to handle it. And don’t forget about those pesky cobwebs and dust. Make your furniture sparkle and stash away any unnecessary clutter in a safe spot.
Focus on bedroom floors
Now, the bedroom floor – that’s a big-ticket item during a rental inspection. You need to make sure to vacuum and mop that floor like a pro, putting some extra muscle into those tricky corners or hard-to-reach zones.
Evaluate your cleaning abilities
Be realistic about your cleaning abilities. If you don’t have the time, energy, or expertise to get the property cleaned to a high standard, consider hiring professional end-of-lease cleaners.
Use a rental inspection checklist
Finally, use a rental inspection checklist to ensure that you’ve covered all the essential areas. This checklist should include items such as the condition of the walls, appliances, and bathroom fixtures.
FAQs
Are there restrictions in place by landlords for rental inspections?
It’s on the landlord to ensure the property is ready for inspection and is obstacle-free. The tenant needs to be present and active during the inspection, marking the date in their diary.
Plus, if there are certain areas or rooms where the tenant doesn’t feel comfortable having strangers poking around, they’re totally free to bench those areas from the inspection.
How long do the inspections take?
On average, a routine rental inspection takes one hour. But this depends on the size of the property or how complex the report should be. It shouldn’t exceed this time.
What should I expect from a rental house inspection?
During inspections on a rental property, property managers are looking for the heavy lifters – structural issues, electrical faults, bathroom and toilet status, and any major damage. Tenants need to make sure any landlord requests are sorted pre-inspection to avoid any surprise additions to their bills down the line.
