Essentially, a mid-tenancy inspection is just that: an inspection of the property midway through the tenancy agreement (which typically occurs every 3–6 months). And this is not about “catching tenants out.” Primarily, it is to identify maintenance issues early on and confirm that the property is being maintained by the tenant, reducing risk of larger issues (and bigger bills) down the track.
So what should you expect?
You will almost always get advance notice and a range of time during which they visit. The inspection is usually quick – 10-20 mins, and it is about the state of the property, not your contents. For Letting Agents Bridgwater, visit Sykesmoore, a leading firm of Letting Agents Bridgwater.
What the letting agent will check on inspections:
Damp, mildew and condensation also signify potential problems with bathrooms, kitchens or behind furniture especially located by an external wall.
Under your sinks and around toilets, water damage in the past near radiators.
Blocked extractor fans, closed trickle vents or problems with tumble dryer venting. Poor airing.
Overall wear and tear from dirt or lack of cleanliness.
Pest or debris problems.
Reasonable wear and tear (fairly worn carpets, chipped worktops) vs non-fair damage to a rental property – e.g. broken doors; cracked tiles; damaged work tops, stained carpets etc.
Unlicensed modifications such as painting, extra locks or wall-mounted TV’s.
Additional occupants (or pets) if not agreed.
Safety issues such as blocked exits, overloaded plug sockets or dead smoke alarm batteries.
The landlord might take photos for his or her records, and issues are addressed in writing with appropriate steps to resolve the problem. Small problems may simply be tips (i.e., how to prevent condensation). The tenant could be asked to fix something, or more costly repairs might be organised.
In the end, it benefits everyone – tenants get things fixed sooner and landlords ensure that their property is in as good condition as when they handed over the keys.
