Importance of Lubbock Rental Property Inspections

No matter how thorough your tenant screening process is, routine inspections are a must for any Lubbock landlord. Routine property inspections will give you a chance to correct any problems on time and help you determine the building’s structural integrity. Here’s why you should be performing inspections at your Lubbock, TX rental property.

Reduce Tenant Turnover

Your tenants will feel cared for and appreciated if you make sure that the structural integrity of your building is maintained by conducting regular inspections. This will help reduce tenant turnover while ensuring your investment lasts for years to come.

Validate Insurance Policies

Some insurance policies stipulate that annual inspections be carried out. You risk invalidating the policy when you fail to do this. Conducting routine property inspections will help you comply with the terms of your insurance policy.

Keep Criminal Activities in Check

Although rare, it’s worth keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity. There are specific signs that you can look for if you suspect illegal drugs on the property. Look for signs of methamphetamine or ecstasy manufacturing, or cannabis growing.

Here are things to watch out for:

Unusual Wear and Tear: Temporary drug labs can leave telltale signs. Color variations on the walls, such as behind hanging artworks or pictures, after a short period of time, is worth a second look. If you’re noticing unusual signs in the property, then it’s time to turn to the bills. A dramatic spike in utilities could signal drug manufacturing.
Sealed or Covered Windows: Windows covered at all times of the day or boarded up could suggest that the tenant is looking for an extra level of privacy to hide their illegal activities.
Specific “Tattle-Tale” Items: Items such as glass flasks, beakers, rubber tubing, gas cylinders, chemical containers, or acid garden fertilizer can be used to manufacture illegal substances.
Property Modifications: You want to be on the lookout for property that has been tampered with. Holes in the ceiling can be a signal of a drug lab set up. Hoses and pipes are often required in hydroponic setups.
Lack of Furnishing and/or Overall Neglect: While some certainly live with the bare minimum, it’s unusual to see a rental that has a lack of personal artifacts and basic furnishing.

Determine If There’s Need for Repairs

Regular inspections will help you manage the property’s condition. This way, you’ll be able to fix issues early, before they seriously damage your Lubbock rental property. Check for leaking faucets, toilets, or clogged drainage systems.

Check for Safety Hazards

Make sure you respond effectively to tenants’ complaints regarding their safety. Ensure that:

Infestations of rodents and other vermin are dealt with through extermination.
The threat of foreseeable criminal intrusions is reasonably reduced.
Known environmental toxins, like lead paint, dust, asbestos, and mold, are managed appropriately.
Hot water heaters and heating systems work appropriately.
Plumbing, electrical, heating, air-conditioning systems, ventilators, and elevators are functioning safely.
Common areas, like hallways and stairways, are in safe and clean condition.
Structural elements of the building like the floors, stairs, walls, and roofs are secure and in good condition.

Become Aware of Tenant Concerns

You’ll get to know if your Lubbock tenants have concerns about their tenancy when you spend a little time with them and you carry out routine inspections. By doing this, you’ll not only make sure your rental property is in tiptop shape but that your relationship with your tenant is healthy. A healthy landlord-tenant relationship will ensure a mutually satisfactory relationship.

Rental Property Inspections Tips

Explain to your renters that they benefit from the inspection too. A properly inspected property is safer and has less need of repair. It also increases their chances of receiving their entire security deposit amount.
If the tenant prefers to be there during the inspection and agrees to a specific time after work, accommodate that schedule.
Plan your inspection schedule so that it falls about a month from move-out. This will give the renter an opportunity to remedy the problem.
Never threaten or harass renters during the inspection, regardless of their behavior.
Keep the focus of the inspection on the condition of the property, and always avoid personal comments or criticism.
Always provide written notice prior to entering, even if you’ve spoken with their renter about the inspection.
Encourage the tenant to be present during the inspection.
Discuss the inspections with prospective tenants at lease signing.
Never cut corners on tenant screening. Finding the right tenants will reduce the likelihood of property damage.

Lubbock Rental Inspections: The Ground Rules

As a landlord in Lubbock, the first thing you would want to focus on is to understand the limitations regarding rental property inspections. All tenants have a right to quiet enjoyment of their homes. This means that even as a landlord, you can’t simply visit whenever you wish to.

Typically, you can carry out routine inspection if:

You give adequate notice. Although no notice period is specified under Texas landlord-tenant laws, most landlords generally give a 24 hours’ notice.
The purpose of the visit is reasonable. For example, to carry out repairs and maintenance tasks.
The duration of the visit is reasonable.
The visit occurs during reasonable hours. Schedule your inspections anywhere from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekdays and from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on weekends.

Rental Inspection Types

There are four types of inspections that you should be doing at your Lubbock rental property.

Move-in Inspection: Both you and your tenant should use this opportunity to document the property’s condition.
Move-out Inspection: This is similar to the move-in inspection. It helps determine whether there have been any changes to the property’s initial condition.
Drive-by Inspection: This allows you to check on the property’s condition without needing to organize schedules with your tenants.
Seasonal Inspection: Each season calls for interior and exterior preventative maintenance at your Lubbock rental property. Seasonal maintenance includes weatherizing water pipes in the winter or cleaning gutters every fall.

In Conclusion

Maintaining your Lubbock rental property requires active care and preventative maintenance to ensure your home’s longevity. You’ll also be able to follow up with your renters to make sure they are conducting their maintenance responsibilities and complying with the Lubbock lease agreement. For more information, contact us online or give us a call at (or text us at) 806.853.6546.

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.