Periodic checks are inspections of the property during the tenancy – usually every 3-6 months - arranged in advance with the tenant and carried out by either the landlord, their agent or a third party, such as an inventory clerk. A copy of the check-in inventory report should be taken along, as well as a camera, so that the condition can be compared and any damage properly recorded.
The landlord’s view
You may feel as though you’re intruding on your tenant’s privacy or bothering them, but checking the property during the tenancy is very good practice, for several reasons. Firstly, it allows you to see how well the tenant is looking after the property and therefore whether you feel you would be happy to re-let to them. Secondly, it means you can give your tenants a ‘heads up’ about any issues or damage and a chance to remedy them before the end of the tenancy, allowing them to have their deposit returned quickly. And thirdly, you can identify any maintenance issues that might not have been reported by the tenant and fix them, before they become a big problem. If you’re worried about potential confrontation or are unsure about exactly what you need to check, then it might be better to instruct an agent or inventory clerk to carry out the inspection.
The tenant’s view
The vast majority of tenants understand that these periodical inspections take place and give access without a problem. However, some do feel it’s an intrusion and, quite understandably, want to keep any inconvenience to a minimum. So you need to be sensitive to their concerns and if they feel that they would like to be there when the inspection takes place, try to accommodate them if you can. They don’t always realise that these checks are as much for their benefit as yours, so explain that this will help you make sure their tenancy is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
The agent’s view
We inspect all our properties four times a year. From our perspective, it means we can give our landlords more accurate reports on their property and tenancy and take action as necessary, hopefully nipping any problems in the bud before they escalate. That may mean addressing issues with the tenant, instructing maintenance and repairs or even beginning eviction proceedings if we find the tenant’s treatment of the property to be unacceptable. It also allows us to build and maintain a good rapport with the tenant which helps to create a trouble-free tenancy.
If you have any concerns about carrying out periodic checks yourself, come and speak to us to find out more about our full management service which will take away all the hassle and why you're #betteroffwithus.
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