Your investment property is an asset – and like every asset, it is essential it is properly looked after and nurtured.

This is where we come in.

Routine inspections are an essential part of our job of managing your property, and contrary to popular belief, we’re not going to have a nosy at how your tenant lives, whether they’ve made their bed or what type of furniture they have; the main purpose of a routine inspection is for us to identify any maintenance or repairs that may be needed and to ensure the property is clean, safe and being properly cared for.

A routine inspection also gives us the opportunity to ensure tenants are following the conditions of their lease; for instance, to check the only people living there are the ones listed on the lease. Furthermore, it’s a great opportunity for tenants to flag up, if they haven’t already done so, any repairs or maintenance that are required, or any other items they wish to bring to our attention.

Legalities

Yes, there are always legalities in place to protect both you and your tenant; we can’t just turn up unannounced and expect to be let in.

In NSW, we are legally allowed to make up to four routine inspections in a 12-month period and we have to give the tenant at least seven days written notice that we are coming.

It’s not a legal requirement for tenants to be present when we make an inspection. While some tenants do like to be present, because of the relationship we have with them, many are quite happy for us to make the inspection while they are out.

What happens in an inspection?

In a nutshell, we look at every part of the property, inside and out, take note of any problems, and take photos. If the tenant is present, we will always ask them if there is anything they would like to make us aware of.

Why do you take photos?

There are several reasons photos are needed, but the primary three reason are:

• To record repairs/maintenance
• To forward to tradesman to have quotes done
• To show the owners how the tenants are caring for their property

What we look for

We look for lots of things including:

• Maintenance issues (eg dripping taps, leaking drains, cracks in walls)
• Any damage which may have occurred since the previous inspection
• Any safety issues (eg worn and lifting carpet)
• Ensure only the people specified on the rental agreement are living there
• Unless they have been permitted, signs of any pets in the property

What we can’t do

As highlighted under the legalities, we can’t pop round for an inspection unannounced.

While we expect a tidy garden, when it comes to watering, we can’t make tenants water the lawns/garden in NSW. Also, we can’t rummage through draws and cupboards and photograph people’s personal belongings.

What else?

We always like to give a bit extra. If you chose us to manage your property, you will receive a written report with photos of each room, detailing the standard of the room and highlighting any maintenance or other issues we have found. This is emailed to you within a few days of the inspection being carried out.

That way, you can physically see the state of the property and appreciate any potential maintenance.

Want to know what else we do when managing a property? We are a family run business and treat each and every one of the properties we are entrusted with like our own.

Get in touch to learn more about how we can help with managing your property. Our experienced team loves to talk and share its knowledge! Give us a ring on 02 4956 9777, send us an email to mail@newcastlepropertymanagement.com.au or pop into our Cardiff office for a chat.

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