During the course of the lease, the agency will usually conduct routine inspections of the property to check everything is in order and that the property is being kept in a reasonable condition. In NSW, routine inspections are conducted at least once every 12 months or a maximum of four in a 12 month period.
The agent will usually notify tenants in advance about when they plan to inspect the property. In NSW, a minimum of seven days written notice must be given.
In this time it’s not unusual for the tenants to notify the agent about any known issues or problems that need to be attended to so that they can be investigated while the agent conducts the inspection to report back to you for your instructions.
The reports are usually quite straight forward and don’t take a lot of time to complete.
The scope and detail of routine inspections vary from state to state and agency but will usually involve a brief walk through the interior and exterior of the property, checking off things like;
Interior
Smoke alarms
Lights and switches
Fitted appliances and fittings like oven, stove, fans, air conditioning
Exterior
Garage and sheds
Maintenance of the garden and lawns
General
Whether the property is reasonably clean, tidy and well presented
Property damage
Leaks
That the property is being used as per the leasing agreement
Any potential problems or issues that may arise
Correct operation of doors, windows, handles and locks
It’s also common for a brief summary to be included in the report, noting any details, improvements or maintenance required for the property.
Some reports are broken down into individual rooms like kitchen, bathroom, lounge room and bedrooms, and would usually be categorised by the overall condition of the property.
Once the property report is complete, the agent will usually file it and send you a copy along with any suggested repairs or replacements.
If tenants have raised a reasonable concern, the agent will bring it to your attention with possible suggestions and then await your instructions on what to do next.
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This information is of a general nature only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. We are not financial, legal or tax advisers. You should seek appropriate professional advice specific to you before acting on this information.
