2022 saw nearly 150,000 eviction cases filed in North Carolina.
No property owner sets out to evict one of their tenants, but sometimes they leave you no other choice. If a tenant is putting your property at risk, evicting them is often the only way to protect your investment. Evictions are long, drawn-out processes that can be highly stressful for landlords.
One way to combat poor tenant behavior is with rental property inspections. In this post, we'll tell you how often you should be inspecting your Hendersonville rental property. Keep reading and you'll see how periodic inspections can help you avoid things like property damage and evictions.
Rental Property Inspections Explained
Rental property inspections come in two forms. The first is the move-in/move-out inspection you perform at the start and end of a tenancy. During this inspection, you and the tenant use a rental property inspection checklist and make note of any existing damage in the property.
At the end of the tenancy, you do the same thing with your tenant. Any new damage that falls outside of normal wear and tear comes out of the tenant's damage deposit. If there's no new damage, you return the deposit in full.
The other type of rental property inspection is one you perform periodically during the tenancy. It may be to keep an eye on a tenant you don't trust or to respond to a tenant maintenance request.
How Often Should You Perform Rental Property Inspections?
When inspecting your rental properties, it's important to obey rental property inspection laws. In North Carolina, you can legally inspect your rental property as frequently as you want. If you're suspicious of a tenant's behavior, you may be inclined to drop by for regular inspections.
You need to be careful when doing this. Despite there being no limit on the number of times you can inspect your property, your tenant has rights. Namely, they have the right to privacy and quiet enjoyment of your property.
Showing up for an inspection once a month could constitute harassment. If your tenant thinks you're overstepping, they could even report you to the local housing authority.
Property Inspections and the Landlord-Tenant Relationship
If you're inspecting your property because you suspect lease violations, you need to know what to look for. For example, when you suspect an unauthorized tenant or pet, look for signs of other inhabitants or pets, like extra vehicles, pet stains, or smells.
It's also worth noting that property inspections can be positive for the landlord-tenant relationship. Your tenant may request that you perform maintenance on your property. In doing so, you can inspect other areas of the property and make sure your tenant is living safely and comfortably.
Get Help With Rental Property Inspections
Rental property inspections are an essential part of being a landlord. They'll help you protect your property, as well as the tenants living in your rentals.
If you don't have the time to perform your rental property inspections, a property manager can help. PMI Blue Ridge is Hendersonville's top property management service, so contact us today to learn how we can help you look after your investment.
