Atlanta has one of the hottest rental markets in the country. That is great for property owners and real estate investors. But it means increased competition and putting your best foot forward to stay ahead.
It also means you must take steps to protect your investment, including doing rental property inspections. How frequently you should do so depends on many variables. The good news is that, once you know what these are, you can proceed with confidence.
This article breaks down the major factors to consider. Keep reading to find out how often to conduct inspections on your Atlanta property.
Why Inspections Are Important
Most people think rental property inspections are for catching damage done by tenants. That is part of it, but the truth is that there are many more reasons to conduct them.
The biggest is that damage can occur from many causes. These include pests, leaks, electrical shortages, or regular deterioration over time.
Even if tenants are not to blame, they may not report these problems. Regardless of who or what causes conditions that warrant repair, the goal of inspections is to catch minor issues before they become major ones.
Another reason that inspections are important is that they help keep tenants happy. They let you ensure that the home or business has suitable conditions and, if not, to address them promptly. This can translate to occupants who stay longer, which means minimized vacancy losses for you.
Factors to Consider When Scheduling Inspections
First, it is important to be familiar with laws that govern tenant rights regarding inspections. Georgia law requires that you inspect a property before a tenant moves in. For inspections after a tenant occupies the property, Georgia law tends to favor landlord rights.
For example, even though most states have laws that require a certain window of notice before an inspection (usually one to two days), Georgia does not. The law does say that you must schedule the inspection at reasonable times of the day. Giving adequate notice and working with the tenant's schedule is a good idea anyway.
How frequently you schedule inspections also depends on a few different factors. In general, you should conduct one at least every six months.
Some landlords prefer to carry them out more often, such as monthly or once a quarter. This depends on what kind of tenant you have. For example, a business that always pays rent on time and alerts you to any issues may not warrant a monthly or even quarterly rental inspection.
Finally, regardless of how often you plan landlord visits, you need to have it in writing. This often is in the rental applications, but it should also be in the lease agreement that the tenant signs.
Learn More About Rental Property Inspections in Atlanta
Now that you understand the importance of rental property inspections and how often to conduct them, you can put a schedule in place. An experienced property manager can further advise you on the right policies to suit your real estate investment.
PMI Perimeter is a residential and commercial property management company serving the Atlanta metropolitan area. We offer a range of services, including marking, tenant screening, rent collection, property maintenance, and more. Reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation.
