Our main job is to protect your
investment property. We do this in two different ways. Our property
management specialists make frequent driving tours by the various
properties we manage. Exterior inspections are very important,
because a property that is well maintained on the outside is
normally being taken care of on the inside, too. In addition, we
make regular preventive maintenance inspections of the interior of
the property.
KEY POINTS: The right for us to
make routine, announced inspections is part of the tenant’s rental
agreement. Tenants are always notified of a pending property
inspection. The inspection is conducted with the tenant present. We
use a property condition report. At the same time we check for
preventative maintenance items. Tenants who are doing a good job
receive special thanks congratulating them on the pride and care
taken in their home. Tenants who are doing a poor job are also
notified in writing. We follow up with a second inspection shortly
after the tenant has received the report. If the tenant has not
shown good faith by providing proper maintenance or making the
requested repairs, we will begin proceedings to correct the problem
at the tenant’s expense and/or move the tenant out.
Inspections fall into five
categories: Start-up, drive by, periodic, move in & move out.
Start-up: When
we accept a property for management, a thorough inspection is
conducted of the interior and exterior, whether occupied or vacant.
A written report is maintained in the property file describing the
property condition, personal property included (with full
descriptions), amenities, number and type of rooms, etc. This report
lists any items that should be done to provide safety and
habitability as well as any suggested improvements to enhance the
rental value and preserve the integrity of the property.
Drive by: A drive by inspection is made on each property
on a routine basis, usually every ninety, to one hundred twenty
days. This may alert us to any developing problem based on such
things as trash accumulation, neglected landscaping, unauthorized
vehicles or pets, etc. Any of these findings could trigger a
complete interior inspection.
Periodic: Complete Interior and exterior inspections are
made annually on all properties. Cursory inspections are done any
time we handle a tenant maintenance request. We ask maintenance
workers to let us know if they noticed any other problems.
Move in: At
the time the lease/rental agreement is signed at the unit the tenant
also signs an inspection form that stipulates that the unit is in
excellent condition. The only items noted are those items that are
not in excellent condition. These are listed as For Information
Only, so that the tenant is not charged for those defects at the
time they move. Pictures are taken at the time of the move in.
Move out: A
move out inspection is performed by an outside contractor after the
tenant vacates. A report as well as pictures of needed repairs,
cleaning and items to put the property in rent condition, are listed
with associated costs. Our original move in report is compared with
the move out condition. Adjustments for wear and tear are determined
and the security deposit return is calculated accordingly.