Rental Property Inspection

As a landlord, you want to keep your property well-maintained. It can be hard to know the condition of your rental when you have tenants in it year-round. That’s why it’s a good idea to schedule regular rental property inspections.

These routine inspections can help you catch minor issues before they become major problems. Here are some guidelines to follow. 

When to Perform a Rental Property Inspection

Your inspection schedule may depend on factors such as how close you live to the rental property. At the very least, you should perform rental property inspections when tenants move in and move out. However, keep in mind that tenants have a legal right to quiet enjoyment of their property. This means that if you schedule inspections too frequently, it becomes an intrusion. Try not to schedule them more often than every three months. 

What to Look For

When you inspect your rental property, you’ll want to look at everything as a whole. Are there any general issues that need to be addressed, such as excessive clutter or unauthorized changes? You should also look at the following areas in more detail.


What is the condition of the floors? Are there stains or worn patches on the carpet? Do the hardwood floors have scratches or scuffs?

Water Damage/Leaks

Plumbing issues may enter your rental property in the way of leaks, and these leaks can lead to damage to the property, especially in the floors and ceiling. Look for running toilets and dripping faucets. Leaks can also occur underneath sinks. 


Even if the tenants claim to have no pest issues, it’s still a good idea to look for them. Some signs of pests include strange smells and sounds, droppings, holes in walls or fabric, damage to plants, and shredded paper or other signs of nesting. Termites, rats, and mice can quickly cause a lot of damage, so contact an exterminator right away.

Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors

A rental property inspection is a good time for landlords to change out the batteries in these devices to ensure they are in good working order. While many believe that tenants should be the ones to keep smoke and carbon monoxide detectors maintained, landlords fear liability if something happens, so many take on the task themselves.

When Tenants Can Request a Rental Property Inspection

Under California law, tenants can request a rental property inspection two weeks before a lease or agreement ends. This is often done to ensure a tenant receives their security deposit in full, since some deposits can be thousands of dollars. 

During this inspection, the landlord must inform the tenant of any damage that could reduce the amount of the security deposit. If there are any problems, the tenant is given some time to correct them before the final inspection, which is done when the tenant moves out. 

Contact Us Today

A rental property inspection is a great idea for landlords who want to keep tabs on the condition of their property, especially as tenants move in and out. This can help you manage security deposits. Contact J Bixler Inspections to schedule an inspection in northern California today.