Did you know that all rental activities are considered passive income? If you plan to make enough income to become profitable, you need to maintain your rental units.
You can do this by completing regular rental property inspections. Although you should utilize all types of rental inspections, you need to limit how often you complete them.
So, how often should a landlord inspect rental property? Keep reading to find out.
How Often Can Landlords Inspect a Property?
Owners of rental properties may assume that they can have access to units whenever they please. This is a common misconception.
There are local regulations that limit the number of times a landlord can inspect a property. Before inspecting properties, it's important to understand the laws.
As for state laws, Tennessee doesn't require that landlords provide notice before entering a property. However, it's always good practice to give a tenant notice so that you maintain a good relationship with them.
There are rental property inspection laws that landlords must follow if they want to enter a unit within the last 30 days of the lease. For a regular inspection during this time, a landlord needs to provide a 24-hour notice.
If the landlord wants to enter a unit for a move-out inspection, they have to provide 30 days' notice to give tenants time to officially move out and clean.
Importance of Rental Property Inspections
Rental property inspections are required to maintain a good property condition. They also make sure properties are safe and habitable for tenants which is necessary to follow Tennessee landlord-tenant laws.
The most common types of inspections are move-in inspections and move-out inspections. These inspections are used to assess the damage that a tenant caused while living in the unit.
The landlord will compare results from the move-in inspection to the move-out inspection to see what has changed. Wear and tear is normal and won't be counted as major property damage against the tenant.
Safety inspections are also important to check the safety features in each unit. Fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, fire alarms, and other important features are all looked at.
Lastly, landlords can complete routine rental property maintenance inspections yearly, seasonally, or quarterly. These inspections should be specified in the lease agreement and provided on an agreed-upon date.
Rental property management companies can help you with these lease provisions.
Understanding the Purpose of Entry
The main factor controlling the amount of times landlords can inspect properties is the purpose of entry. The purpose of the inspection will dictate how often a landlord can enter a unit.
For example, a landlord can enter once for the move-in inspection and once for the move-out inspection.
Depending on whether the landlord and tenant agree upon yearly, seasonal, or quarterly inspections, the landlord may be able to enter the unit with notice multiple times.
Drive-by inspections are common for landlords, but be careful with this type of inspection. If you check on the rentals too often, you may interrupt a tenant's right to privacy and quiet enjoyment which could turn into a legal issue.
How Can Property Management Help?
Inspecting your rentals too much as a landlord can get you in trouble, but not inspecting your property at all will leave you with unwanted surprises and damages.
It sounds complicated, but it doesn't have to be when you hire Green Tree Property Management, one of the top full-service property management companies.
Our professional property managers can keep you updated on the law and conduct renal property inspections for you. Drop us a line now to get started.
