On average, U.S. homeowners spend nearly $6,000 on property maintenance and repairs yearly. Many even report spending more than their planned budget!
As a Baltimore landlord, you could face the same issues if you fail to conduct rental property inspections correctly.
To avoid those headaches, follow this property inspection guide. It shares property management tips to help keep your rental in good condition.
Understand Rental Laws
Baltimore City, MD, requires all residential rental properties to have a license. To get one, owners must register their units first and have them inspected by a professional.
Those rules help ensure rental units meet safety and maintenance standards. Only state-licensed home inspectors registered with the city can perform these pre-licensure inspections.
Baltimore County also has pre-licensure registration and inspection requirements. Like Baltimore City, only state-licensed home inspectors can perform pre-licensure rental property inspections.
Please follow all the above rules, as failure to do so can lead to hefty fines and penalties.
Schedule Rental Property Inspections Regularly
Once you get the license, you can do the routine inspections yourself. For the best results, though, hire a Baltimore property maintenance company. Their trained eyes allow for more comprehensive inspections and accurate results.
Effective property inspections require regular schedules, starting with monthly drive-bys. Then, schedule more comprehensive ones every season or twice yearly. You must also inspect your property before or (immediately) after a tenant moves out.
Follow an Inspection Checklist
Regularly inspecting your rental property lets you catch and fix minor issues before they worsen. Prepare a rental inspection checklist to help you stay on top of things. It should include:
- The building's structure (walls, doors, windows, floor, roof, etc.)
- Essential systems (e.g., HVAC, plumbing, and electrical)
- Carpets, rugs, appliances, and furniture you, the landlord, provided
- All other contents you own and are part of the lease agreement
As you inspect your rental, look for signs of a potential breach of the lease's terms.
For example, suppose you allow your tenants' pets on your property. When they signed the lease, they said they only had one dog. However, during an inspection, you found a dog and a cat, which is a breach of lease.
Always Notify Tenants
Proper and respectful communication is crucial to tenant satisfaction and retention. Your renters also have every right to quiet enjoyment of the rental property. That's why you must always notify and coordinate inspection schedules with your tenants.
A good rule of thumb is to notify your tenants at least 24 hours before an inspection. You must also enter the property only at reasonable times. For instance, it can be during typical business hours or at the time provided by the tenant.
Let PMI Bmore Metro Handle Your Property Inspections
Regular rental property inspections can help keep your units safe and habitable. They're also vital in maintaining property values and boosting tenant satisfaction. However, they can be time-consuming and laborious.
But don't worry: Our full-service real estate management company, PMI Bmore Metro, can simplify things for you. We specialize in tenant placement, lease renewals, rent collection, property maintenance, and more. We're also proud to be part of PMI, a national franchise with nearly 20 years of experience.
So, call us today for a consultation and to get your free rental valuation!
