What Is A Home Inspection?

What Is A Home Inspection?

Are you a landlord and your Letting Agent has told you they need to carry out an inspection?

Are you the tenant who's home requires an inspection?

This blog explains all the in's and out's of property inspections; including what they consist of and what you need to do.

What is it?

A home inspection's primary purpose is so the condition of the property can be fully evaluated. The person who is inspecting is responsible for finding out if everything is working efficiently such as electrics and that the interior and exterior is in a safe and visually reasonable state.

Who does it?

If you own a property which is being rented out than you are entitled by law to be able to carry out inspections if you wish. Your recommended to not carry out too many inspections as this can be classed as harassment however multiple inspections a year are advised so landlords can ensure their property is in good working order and being cared for. 

If you are a landlord carrying out an inspection then these are the legislative orders you must follow:

- Inspections to be conducted at reasonable times of the day 

- Giving the tenant 24 hours notice prior to inspection 

If you're in the buy-to-let industry and have a trusted, reliable estate agent than it is likely they will carry out your inspections for you unless asked otherwise.

If you're unaware of the in's and out's of an inspection; than it's probably best that you leave the inspection to your letting agent.

What do you look for?

During an inspection there are dozens of things you need to look out for. Here, we have chosen the most important features for you to consider:

- Dampness and mould: Take an extra careful look at ceilings; the edges and corner's of the wall's/window's and the floor

- General Condition of Fitted furniture: If you supplied the tenant with built-in white goods such as oven's, dishwashers etc. than it is important that you check that they are fully-functional and don't have any obvious damage

- Leaks: Ensure pipes, taps etc. are all working efficiently

- Electrics and gas: Double check that everything related to electric and gas is working efficiently; such as lights, radiator's, plug-in's etc.

- Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Smoke Alarms: By law, it is essential that carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms are triple-checked

- Notify the difference between wear and tear and damage: It is understandable that some furniture in the property may have a few faint scratches or have broken because they were a cheap buy. It is important to label this as 'wear and tear' rather than accuse the tenant of causing severe damage. You could cause a lot of tension and dispute between yourself and the tenant for something which really wasn't their fault

Any rules?

Tenants have the right to a 24 hour notice period about an inspection. 

Landlords have the right to enter the property at the agreed time after the 24 hour notice period has ended. It is important to know that, if a tenant agrees to an inspection, they must allow the landlord to carry it out - you cannot refuse your landlord entry if they've given you the legal notice time.

It is also important that when you carry out inspections in a property that you are respectable of the neighbours and don't create a mess to the interior or exterior of the property.

We hope you have found our blog helpful! If you have any more questions in relation to this blog or property in general, please don't hesitate to contact us:

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