Do not freak out when you get that rental inspection notice from your landlord. You have a few days to prepare and there is no reason why you should get worked up, unless there is something serious you need to conceal or camouflage.
Here are some of the fixtures and features of the property that will draw the attention of the landlord or property manager representing the landlord.
- It will start with the living room or a common area, if there is one. The common area is not completely your responsibility. Just make sure the door to your rented apartment or house is okay. The living room should ideally be de-cluttered but you don’t have to get rid of everything that may otherwise lie on the couch or the centre table in a house that is habited by someone.
- The landlord or the property manager will check the walls, lights, smoke alarms, floorboards, artwork if there was any and the windows. If they are in impeccable condition barring the usual wearing out due to someone staying there, you are sorted.
- Kitchen and bathrooms are the next destinations. In focus will be the taps, sinks, plumbing fixtures, appliances in the kitchen and fittings in the bathrooms, tiles, countertop, toilets, bins and cupboards or cabinets. Just make sure none of these features are damaged or even dented. You should clean your kitchen and bathroom before the inspection. It is not wrong to have a cluttered kitchen or a not so well attended to bathroom but it does reflect badly on the tenant and is also rude to have someone check these spaces in dire state.
- Bedrooms may be subject to inspection as well but not your personal possessions. The walls, ceilings, floorboards, doors and windows will be the focus. Keep your personal stuffs inside the cabinets or wardrobes. Clean up the bedroom and let some fresh air in before the inspection. This will cleanse any odour that may exist in the bedrooms.
- The property should ideally be cleaned well to get rid of dust, cobwebs and stains. If anything has been damaged, it should be repaired. If there is a small garden, lawn or balcony, then such features should be taken care of.
