When you get the word that an apartment inspection is coming, it may fill you with dread. If you have never had one before, you probably don’t know what to expect during an apartment inspection or how to pass one. Fortunately, it usually only takes some basic preparation and maintenance to get through this sometimes-stressful event. As long as you know what to look for before an apartment inspection and how to take care of it, you should be fine.
How to Prepare for a Rental Inspection
The first thing you will want to do is explore whether or not you have a pest problem. If you have flies buzzing around, rat droppings in your closet or ants in your sink, this is the time to address it. It is most likely your apartment manager’s responsibility to handle the problem — but they can’t if you don’t tell them about it. Let them know before they show up, see the mess and wonder why you never said anything.
Next, check out the floors. The carpet should be clean and vacuumed, without major rips or tears. Uncarpeted floors should be mopped or swept, and any scuffs or scrapes should be buffed out.
Now move up to the walls. Make sure any stains or holes are painted or spackled over. While you’re at it, check the windows and blinds to make sure they open and close properly and are not covered in mold or mildew. Also, check to be sure there is no chipped or broken glass in your windows.
Now, HVAC and lighting. Clean or change filters and make sure the thermostat, heater and air conditioning work correctly. Change any non-functioning light bulbs and make sure all the switches work. Then test the smoke alarms.
Move on to the bathroom. Make sure there is no mold or mildew in the tub and that toilets are clean. Finally, make sure all the kitchen appliances work correctly, and there is no mold or mildew growth.
Things to Remember Before a Rental Inspection
Remember that when it comes to a rental inspection, your main responsibilities are to make sure everything is reasonably clean and that you repair any damage you have caused. Other issues, like the apartment’s plumbing system, peeling paint or malfunctioning electrical or HVAC systems, are usually not your responsibility to fix, but it is your responsibility to alert the landlord or the management company if they need to be addressed.
When preparing for your rental inspection, try to think about what you would expect if you were the landlord. Think about how you would want the apartment to look if you were coming into it for the first time, with the understanding that it is being lived in. If there is anything that would not meet your standards if you were the owner doing the inspection, that is probably something you want to address before the inspection happens.
For more rental information and tips, visit us at Marcotte Properties today.
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