How Many Property Inspections Should I do to Protect My North San Diego Rental Investment?

Inspecting your rental property is a good way to ensure it’s being maintained to high standards. When you have the benefit of putting your eyes on your investment, you can get a sense of whether the tenants are following the terms of the lease and helping you preserve its condition and value.

At North San Diego Property Management, we’ve spent years managing multifamily and commercial properties in the North County area , including in Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, San Marcos, and Solana Beach.

We recommend that you do complete inspections before a tenant moves in, after a tenant moves out, and at least once during the tenancy. You can also do regular drive-by inspections and ask to take a look around before you agree to renew a lease.

The most crucial inspections you’ll conduct are the move-in and move-out inspections. These will be required to sufficiently and accurately document the condition of your property. Before your tenant moves in, you’ll want to go through the property and take photos of every detail. Document the way the floors, walls, ceilings, and doors look. Note the condition of each appliance and take pictures of any exterior spaces. The tenant will expect to receive a property that is clean, functional, and well-maintained, and you’ll expect to get the property back in similar condition.

The move-out inspection will occur when the tenant vacates. Using the original move-in inspection report, you’ll again go through the property and document any damage or issues. Compare the photos and descriptions from each inspection, and you’ll know whether you need to withhold any money from your tenant’s security deposit to pay for repairs or cleaning.

If you live close to your investment property, it’s a good idea to drive through the neighborhood once in a while. This isn’t as creepy as it sounds. You just want to get a look at the property and make sure everything appears to be in order. If you see a lot of debris or furniture outside that doesn’t belong there, you’ll want to address it with your tenants. If a window is broken or the door is hanging off its hinges, you’ll want to take immediate action.

When you aren’t living in or close to the northern San Diego area, make sure you’re working with local property managers who can check on your property once in a while and make sure it looks the way it should.

Once you’re inside the property, your goal is to look for two specific things. First, you’re looking for any unreported maintenance concerns. Check under the sinks for leaks or any signs of rot. Make sure all the light switches work, and check the appliances. Get an idea of whether your tenant is changing air filters regularly and keeping the home clean. Next, look for any indications that the lease is being violated. If you have a no-pet policy and there’s a cat litter box in the bathroom, you and your tenant have something to talk about.

This is also a good opportunity to check in with your tenant and make sure everything is going well. Tenant retention is important, so let them know you appreciate that they’re taking good care of your property.

If you have any questions about inspections or rental property maintenance, please contact us at North San Diego Property Management.