It’s that time of year again, where our property managers will arrange a mid-tenancy inspection with you. The main reason for an interim inspection is to check the property you are renting from us is still in a reasonable condition, flag any maintenance issues you may have missed, but also to have a face to face catch up with you- and see if there’s anything we can do to make your time with us better! Your property manager will be in touch over the next month to arrange a time to visit, and this will give you at least 24hr notice. During the inspection, the property manager is entitled to take pictures of each room, and these will be kept on file for our reference. 

You do not need to be in during the inspection, so here’s a breakdown of how the interim inspection works, and what we will be looking for:

Outside

Before we even step foot in your property, we will be checking the doors and windows, to make sure they seem safe and secure. If your property has a garden, we will be checking the garden is tidy and well kept. It is your responsibility to maintain your garden, however if you have any questions please let us know!

Kitchen

During our inspection, we will be checking the general cleanliness of the kitchen, and making sure food waste is being disposed of correctly to prevent mice. We will also be checking for leaks from the taps, and general wear of the appliances. Ovens are a recurring issues with student properties, so we will also check the cleanliness and usability of the oven, and this will be reported back to you if your oven requires a clean.

Living room/ bedrooms

In the living room, we will be checking the condition of the sofas, looking out for any rips or damages. If applicable, we will also be checking the condition of the TV and other furniture included in the inventory. In bedrooms, the general cleanliness will be noted, along with any damages to the furniture, curtains/ blinds, and floor.

Bathrooms

Similar to the kitchen, we will be checking for leaks in the bathroom, either from the bath, shower, toilet or sink- as if ignored, these can cause long term damage. We will also note the general tidiness and cleanliness of the bathrooms, and making sure this is maintained. During our bathroom inspection, we will also assess if any tiles need regrouting, sinks or baths resealing, and will also check for mold. 

To make the inspection process as smooth as it can be, we’ve listed some things you can do before we arrive:

Spring clean

As standard, we would always advise a small clean of the property before an interim inspection. Not only does this act as a reset for you should your house be on the messier side, it also makes the inspection process easier for your property manager. During your clean we would also advise you to tidy any belongings that should be away, and remove any items on the floor so we can spot damages. 

Leave a note if out

Should you want to point out any concerns/ issues with your property during the inspection but you will be out, it’s helpful to leave a note somewhere obvious with a list of your concerns. That way, we can carry out the inspection while looking out for the issues you raised, and will be able to advise action with a follow up email. You’re also more than welcome to send your property manager an email prior to the inspection, so we can print this out and take it with us on the day.

Doors unlocked

Should you live in a house share, or have a lock on your bedroom, it is important to leave your room unlocked should you be unavailable for the inspection. Should your room be locked upon inspection, we will need to return to your property at a later date, and this can cause avoidable disruption for you and your housemates. 

Follow up with an email

Lastly, we always recommend around a week after your inspection, emailing your property manger to ask how your inspection went. We can then advise on if any damages were reported, giving you the chance to rectify these. We can also comment on the cleanliness, and recommend areas which may need attention. This feedback will ultimately help you keep your property well maintained, which will make the final clean less daunting at the end of your tenancy.

Here at Parklane Properties, we want to make the inspection process as smooth as possible, however if you do have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with your property manager. Alternatively, you can call the office on 0113 230 4949 or email ls6@parklaneproperties.com.