STRESS-FREE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Back to: Landlord Success: Proven Strategies & Practical Advice for Stress – Free Property Management

I recommend that you inspect your property at least 2 times a year, at least once every 6 months, and probably in the first 3 months after a tenant moves in.

• You need to know what is going on inside your properties to make sure there are no problems with the tenants or pets.
• You are allowed to enter and inspect your property with 24-hour notice to the tenant.
• When you are completing your initial selection interview with the tenant to see if they are suitable to rent your home, it is at that time when you start telling them that there will be inspections.
• If they sound like they are not happy when you try to schedule an inspection, this is a red flag for you (warning); what are they doing in your home that they do not want you to see.
• Let them know that your insurance requires you to inspect the property at least 2 times a year and of course you will give them 24 hours notice.  You will need to look in every room and complete a check list (see downloads).
• During these inspections I will check the smoke alarms (operation & batteries) and change the furnace filter and look for any other maintenance issues that need to be dealt with. So, inspections are a good thing for you,
• I will ask if text communication is fine for the 24-hour notice instead of providing a written notice. At least if you have a text, it is a form of written record (better than a phone call). The text message currently does meet the letter of the law for Alberta standards but if you are on good relations with your tenant, it should be good enough.
• Try to give the tenant lots of notice so they have time to clean up if they need or want to.
• If your tenant goes dark and you can not get a hold of them and you want to inspect the property post (tape) the notice to inspect form on the door (see downloads).  Make sure you post it with a least 24 hours notice. Keep a copy of the original in your tenant file.
• Take 3 photos of the form: one that is a close up so you can read it , one that shows it taped on the door showing the entire door, and one from the street showing the entire property, so there is proof that it notice was given correctly.
• In any case, complete the check list and take pictures of any issues.
• Hopefully the tenant attempts to clean up, if so, you know you probably have a good tenant. Keep in mind everyone’s level of cleanliness is different. I am ok with clutter but not filth and animal pee and poo. You also do not want to have bugs and/or mice living in the property.
• If they do not clean up and the property is dirty you may not want this tenant long term and you may consider not renewing the lease.
• If you enter and there are major problems and damage, consider immediate eviction. (See getting rid of bad tenants).  
• The longer you leave the problem the worse it gets. Deal with any issues immediately; destructive and dirty people do not change.