Disclaimer: This home inspection and landlord responsibilities checklist is for informational purposes only and is intended to serve as a general guide for property inspections. It is not intended to replace any professional legal advice. We are not lawyers, and this checklist should not be interpreted as legal advice. Please consult with a relevant professional to ensure compliance with local regulations. Visit the Gov.uk landlord responsibilities site for guidance.
Whether your tenants are just moving in, about to move out, or in the middle of their tenancy, it’s important to get your landlord inspection correct every time. That’s why we’ve put together this landlord inspection checklist, to help you get it right.
You must legally give at least 24 hours’ notice before performing these checks, but its best to give plenty of notice to make sure your tenant is available and give them the opportunity to clean and tidy if they want to.
If you have an inventory for the property, keep it handy during the inspection to check the contents are in good condition.
Landlord Responsibilities
The following checks are important to comply with your responsibilities as a landlord. These are vital for health and safety purposes, but some are also legal requirements. It’s best to check your contract and ensure you’re familiar with any relevant legislation. Bear in mind that the law can vary depending on where you live in the UK as well.
Appliances
Check all appliances are fully working and in good condition. Whether or not the appliances are your responsibility to fix/replace will depend on your tenancy agreement, but they’re worth keeping an eye on either way. Leaks and blockages can cause water damage you’ll be keen to avoid.
Alarms
This one is a big health and safety risk if not inspected frequently. Make sure all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are working and replace batteries where required.
Gas, Heating & Hot Water
A broken boiler can cause a lot of stress for tenants, particularly those with children or during colder months. Boiler maintenance is important to keep on top of, and an annual gas safety check is a legal requirement. It’s also important to test the water supply for legionella bacteria, particularly if the property has been empty for some time. This is now a legal requirement in Scotland.
Electrics
Electrical safety is a high priority, so you must ensure all electrical and light fittings are in working order. Small issues like a slight crack in an electrical socket should be fixed/replaced, even if they don’t seem unsafe. This will give you peace of mind too.
Damp & Mould
Condensation is most prevalent in winter months, which can lead to damp & mould problems. Keep an eye on high-risk areas, such as basements and bathrooms, for signs of damp. Lack on ventilation, having to dry clothes indoors and lack of insulation in the building can all cause problems. Again, you have a legal responsibility to deal with any issues. You can also advise your tenants use a dehumidifier to reduce the risk.
Landlord Inspection List for Tenancy Breaches
Most tenants will take care of your property and adhere to the contract in place. However, this isn’t always the case. These checks are important to ensure that your tenant is looking after the property.
Pets
It’s up to you whether or not to allow pets in your property. If you don’t allow pets, keep an eye out for signs in case the tenant is keeping one. Scratched doors, litter trays, and pet odours are all indicators that there could be an animal living within the property.
Sub-Letting
Again, sub-letting can be agreed upon at the start of the tenancy so this may not be applicable. However, if it is not agreed, keep an eye out for signs that additional or different people are living there. This can be a tricky one to look out for, but indicators could include mail addressed to unknown people, excessive changes in utility usage, or extended absences of the tenant.
Cleanliness
This is a general check that the tenant is looking after the property, as unhygienic practices can lead to larger problems. For example, not taking bins out can attract pests. If this is the case, it’s just worth mentioning it to the tenant, and perhaps offering some tips to keeping the home clean and tidy. This issue can fall into a grey area and can be difficult to resolve, but communication is key. Maybe a wheelie bin has gone missing or there’s some other issue that’s easily dealt with.
Take a Proactive Approach
However frequently you choose to complete rental property inspections, make sure you always keep records of your findings as well as any work carried out, as you never know if and when you’ll need to refer back to it.
Save this rental property checklist for your next inspection, and best of luck!