Ventura County has long been one of the nation’s fastest-growing areas. According to the United States Census Bureau, nearly 40 percent of all housing units in Ventura County are occupied by renters. If you are a rental property owner, the community offers significant opportunities. At the same time, owning a rental property can sometimes be a hassle. It is crucial that you have your property inspected on a regular basis. In this article, our Ventura County property management team highlights the key things that you need to know about inspecting your property.
Four Reasons Why Regular Rental Property Inspections are Essential
If your rental property is occupied, getting it inspected can sometimes feel like a hassle. You may not even know exactly what to do or what you need to look for during an inspection. Do not let yourself fall behind on property inspections. A comprehensive inspection helps to ensure that any issues are quickly identified and addressed. In the long run, regular inspections save money and protect your investment. Here are four reasons why you should have your rental property inspected regularly:
1. Check for Tenant Compliance: A tenant who rents your property has to follow the rules set forth in the lease agreement. The terms of the lease will depend entirely on the specific situation. During regular inspections, you will be able to confirm that the tenant is actually following the rules. They have a duty to respect your rental property. If there is a violation—problems with parking, a non-permitted pet, too many people in the unit, etc—this issue can be identified and addressed.
2. Identify Any Maintenance Issues: Beyond tenant compliance, inspections are important to ensure that maintenance is taken care of. There are two big issues here. To start, regular maintenance is a must. Many seemingly simple things, such as changing the air filter in your HVAC system, can go a long way towards preserving your investment. Additionally, an inspection can help to uncover potential problems. When repairs are needed, you will want to know as soon as possible.
3. A Clear Record of When Problems Occurred: Imagine that you found a major hole in the bedroom wall of your rental unit. The cost to repair it is going to be significant. You believe that the property damage was caused by the tenant. The tenant denies it and says that the damage was pre-existing. What happens now? Ideally, you will be able to refer directly to your inspections, including a move-out inspection, move-in inspection, and regular ongoing inspections. Consistent inspections allow you to pinpoint problems so that you can protect your financial interests.
4. Have Time to Create a Plan of Action: Inspections are primarily about information. With comprehensive, regular inspections you will be able to know exactly what is going on in your own rental property. With full information in hand, you have time to create a plan of action that works best for your situation. Ultimately, it is your choice how to manage your own property.
Ultimately, the goal of regular inspections is to ensure that you can preserve the value of your property. A rental unit is a strong investment, but there are upkeep costs. Regular inspections allow you to take proactive measures to ensure that your unit is in the best possible conditions and maintenance/upkeep costs are minimized.
Rental Property Inspection in California: Notice is Required If the Unit is Occupied
You own your rental property. However, that does not mean that you can simply barge into the unit to perform an inspection—at least not if the unit is currently occupied. If your rental property is unoccupied, you are free to inspect it however you see fit. If your rental property in Ventura County is occupied, then you must give adequate notice before any inspection. Generally speaking, the terms of the lease agreement will determine how much notice is required for a rental property inspection. In most cases, tenants are entitled to 48 to 72 hours of notice.
How to Conduct a Rental Property Inspection
When inspecting a rental property, it is important to do so in a systematic manner. Regular rental property inspections are important—but they are not going to be nearly as useful if they are not completed property. Here are two key things to remember when conducting a rental property inspection in Ventura County:
1. Use a Checklist: A checklist that is tailored to your individual rental property will keep things organized and allow you to go one-by-one checking on all the key things that matter.
2. Take Photographs: Pictures are important. If you spot any issues with the property, it is a best practice to take photographs. If a tenant currently resides in the unit, be very respectful of their personal privacy.
Our Property Management Team Can Take the Stress Out of Inspections
As great of an investment as a rental property in Ventura County can be, owning a rental unit can also pose a day-to-day hassle. Inspections are just another one of those things that can take a lot of time and effort. At Real Property Management, we take the stress out of property inspections and property maintenance. Depending on your specific needs, our property management team offers:
- Move-in inspections;
- Move-out inspections; and
- Regularly scheduled inspections (quarterly, semi-annually, annually, etc).
If you have any specific questions about rental property inspection or our services in general, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Thousand Oaks property management professionals for help. We are more than happy to sit down with you to talk about inspections, maintenance, or any other rental property issue.
Call Our Ventura County Property Management Team Today
At Real Property Management, our Ventura County property management professionals are proud to be the trusted leader in the industry. If you want more details about rental property inspections or our services, we are here to help. Call us now or contact us online for your free rental property assessment. Our team offers property management services throughout Ventura County, including in Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, Westlake Village, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Camarillo, and Newbury Park.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
