1 in 25 Oregon rental homes deal with evictions.
If you're a landlord, you always want to do everything possible to avoid evictions. One of the ways to do this is to take tenant screening very seriously, but even with quality tenant screening, you can never guarantee a tenant won't damage your property.
Damaged property is among the most common reasons for evictions. For that reason, it's important to keep a close eye on your property by performing regular rental property inspections. Keep reading and we'll explain how these inspections can help keep your investment property and your tenants safe.
The Importance of Inspecting Your Property
There are countless reasons why you'd want to inspect your property regularly. As we've mentioned, it's an important part of keeping an eye on your tenants to ensure they comply with your lease agreement. It's also important to reduce liability and ensure you're giving your tenants a safe place to live.
Typically, rental property inspections come in two forms. The first is the move-in/move-out inspection that you do with a tenant when they move in and again when they move out.
During these, you'll walk around with a property inspection checklist, making note of any existing damage in the unit. If a tenant causes damage in your unit that goes beyond normal wear and tear, you'll take the cost of repairs out of their security deposit.
The other type of rental property inspection is one you conduct during a tenancy.
Property Inspection Laws in Oregon
When conducting impromptu inspections, you need to have an understanding of landlord-tenant laws in Oregon. In return for rent payments, all tenants have the right to privacy and quiet enjoyment of your rental property.
Oregon doesn't restrict the frequency of rental property inspections. You do, however, need to give your tenants at least 24 hours of notice before entering the premises.
During these inspections, you want to look for signs that your tenant is breaking your lease agreement. Look for obvious damage, such as holes in the walls or broken appliances. Depending on your lease, you may also look for signs of unauthorized pets or additional tenants.
Offering a Safe Property
The other reason to inspect your rental is to protect your tenants. This might mean making repairs or providing important maintenance to the property. It could also mean preventing or dealing with illegal behavior in the unit that puts other tenants at risk.
When your tenants sign a lease, they should be safe in your property. If another tenant is putting them at risk, they need to be dealt with accordingly. A quick property inspection will tell you if further action must be taken.
How a Property Manager Can Help with Rental Property Inspections
Ensuring tenant safety and compliance is the number one reason to do rental property inspections. If you're a hands-off tenant, you may not have time to inspect your property regularly. In this situation, it's best to hire property management to help.
At PropM Inc., we're one of Portland's top property management companies. Not only do we offer thorough tenant screening and eviction protection, but we can inspect and maintain your property to keep your investment and tenants safe. Contact us to learn more about our services.
