Denver renters faced 13,000 eviction filings in 2023 alone.
As a Westminster landlord, the idea of having to evict a tenant is always highly stressful. When you get to the point of needing to evict a tenant, it means you've been pushed as far as you can go. It also signals a major issue with your tenant screening methods.
You need to screen your tenants to avoid evictions, but you can also prevent them with rental property inspections. In today's post, we'll explain how these inspections work and let you know how often you should be performing them. Keep reading and you'll have a better idea of how to protect your investment.
Rental Property Inspections Explained
In general, landlords can employ two types of rental property inspections. A move-in inspection is the one you conduct at the start of every tenancy. During this, you take an inspection checklist and go through the unit with your tenant to make note of any existing damage.
At the end of the tenancy, you perform the same inspection. Any new damage that the outgoing tenant has caused comes out of their security deposit. To do this lawfully, landlords need to understand the difference between regular wear and tear and tenant-caused damage.
Any other inspection that a tenant performs is done by tenant request or to keep an eye on a suspicious tenant.
How Often to Perform Inspections?
When conducting inspections during a tenancy, it's important to understand your tenant's rights and inspection laws. All tenants in Colorado have the right to privacy and quiet enjoyment of your investment property in return for their rental payments.
For that reason, you must always give tenants at least a 24-hour inspection notice before entering the property. In terms of how often you can inspect your rental, there's no real limit.
That being said, you should be as considerate as possible of your tenant's situation. Unless you're very suspicious of a tenant's behavior, an annual inspection should suffice. Anything more frequent than that could result in the tenant reporting you to the housing authority.
Inspection Tips
If you think your tenant is breaking your lease agreement, it's important to know what to look for during an inspection. Depending on what you suspect them of, you'll want to keep an eye on specific things.
If you think they've brought in a second, unauthorized tenant, look for signs of an extra inhabitant. This could be a new car in the driveway, higher than normal utility bills, or disgruntled neighbors.
When you think a tenant could be damaging your property, look for signs of poor behavior. This might include ripped carpet, holes in the walls, or broken windows. If you find evidence of lease violations, the next step is to file an eviction with the court.
How Property Management Helps
Dealing with rental property inspections is a great way to keep an eye on tenants, but it can be stressful as well. If you're finding it overwhelming to manage your rental unit, it might be time to hire a property manager.
Team PMI Mile High is Westminster's top property management group, offering a wide range of services that includes property inspections and eviction protection. To find out how we can help you manage your investment, contact us today.
