Maintaining standards: A guide to property inspections

Regular property inspections are crucial for maintaining the value and condition of your rental property. Regular property inspections conducted by a professional management company (like Ultralets) play a crucial role in achieving this goal.

When we carry out inspections on your behalf, our reports are thorough and informative, providing you with a clear picture of the property's condition. This includes details regarding the property's compliance, issues identified during the inspection as well as a detailed image section allowing you to see the condition of your property not just read it.

Understanding the report:

The inspection report might seem lengthy, but don't worry! The first 1-3 pages provide a landlord-specific overview. This includes:

Compliance details: Ensures your property meets legal and safety regulations
Identified issues: Highlights any problems, categorised by tenant or landlord responsibility

The report is also interactive. Clicking on specific points in the overview automatically takes you to a detailed section with photos for further reference.

Frequency of inspections:

Inspections are typically conducted annually, unless:

You request them more frequently
There's a reason to visit the property (e.g., tenant complaints, overcrowding concerns, contractor or work team issues)

Inspection outcomes:

After reviewing the report and property file, inspections fall into three categories:

Good: No issues with tenant care or outstanding maintenance. You'll receive an email confirming this, requiring no further action
OK: Minor issues are identified. We recommend reviewing the "Maintenance Action Required" section for details. Any landlord-related issues will be flagged, and our work team will be notified
Poor: Serious concerns arise regarding the property's condition or tenant behaviour (e.g., overcrowding, lack of ventilation, hoarding). You'll receive the report with a recommendation to review the "Maintenance Action Required" section. Additionally, we suggest failing the inspection and re-inspecting within a month, following communication with the tenant about necessary actions

Inspection appointments:

Appointment times vary depending on factors like property size and condition. Inspections are scheduled as AM or PM slots, with timed appointments available upon tenant request. Standard appointments are 45 minutes but they may take longer for larger properties or HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation).

Tenant presence:

Tenants can choose to be present during the inspection. Alternatively, they may request that we use our management keys to conduct the inspection in their absence. It is important to note that if we do not receive a response to our inspection request, we can enter the property with our management keys provided the tenant receives at least 24 hours written notice before the inspection.

Regular inspections are a vital tool for protecting your investment and ensuring a well-maintained property for your tenants. If you have any further questions, get in touch with Hannah from our Compliance Team, or give us a call.

Posted By

Hannah Pinder