There are various times throughout the course of a lease that you should conduct a fairly thorough inspection of your rental property. The goal is to ensure that everything is in working order, identify things that you need to repair, and to generally see that the property is being well cared for. If you have a tenant living in the property long-term, then once or twice a year should be sufficient for an inspection. In addition, you should do an inspection with a new tenant before they move in, and another one when they move out.

It is important to know what to look for when conducting an inspection at your investment property:

• Check all of the big things – check that all appliances, the furnace, the air conditioning unit, etc. are in working order. These are costly things to repair if there’s an issue, so it’s better to identify them early on. Not all tenants will be familiar with the signs when one of these major household items begins to fail, so they may not notify you of a problem until it’s too late and the item needs a major repair, or even replacing.
• Check the plumbing – turn on all of the taps in the home, and look at the pipes underneath (where applicable) to ensure that there are no identifiable leaks. While doing this, you will also be able to check on the water pressure and see if water is effectively draining. You should also flush the toilets and be on the lookout for similar issues there.
• Check the windows and windowsills – look for cracks, signs of condensation, and signs of water damage. That way you can ensure that the windows are still well sealed, and keeping out the elements!
• Check for cracks in the foundation – look outside the home along the foundation (if it’s a free-standing property), as well as inside in the basement. Not all cracks signify bad things, but it’s better to be aware of them and keep an eye out for them. If you notice a crack and you have concerns about it, you can always ask your tenant to keep their eyes open for any leaks in adverse weather conditions.
• Keep your eyes open for signs of poor tenant care – you don’t need to walk into the property ready to start chastising your tenant. But, you should be on the lookout for signs that tenants are not doing their part. If it’s a newer tenant, or you’ve never had a history of issues with them, then simply give them the benefit of the doubt that they just aren’t familiar with how to properly care for whatever the item is. If you notice that the filter in the furnace is too full and requires changing, show them how to do it, and remind them to check it at regular intervals.

When conducting your property inspections, it is a good idea to have the tenant present. After all, they can provide valuable insight into how everything is operating within the property, and you can educate them as necessary. You don’t have the right as a landlord to simply enter the property for an inspection at will, as by law you can only do so for necessary maintenance. But, even with the tenant’s permission to enter when they aren’t home for your inspection, consider making an appointment for a time you know they’ll be present!