28 September 2023
When referring to the Rental Housing Act, it is stated that a Tenant and Landlord are required, under the Act, to conduct a joint ingoing and joint outgoing inspection. This is to determine any defects that may need to be recorded in terms of the Lease Agreement during the lease period.
At the Rawson Property Group, we always emphasize the importance of an interim inspection to ensure that our Landlord's investment is adequately looked after at all times during the tenancy.
Why is an interim inspection important?
An interim inspection is recommended for lease terms that are 12 months or more as agreed to by all parties and would more than likely take place in the middle of the tenancy. This inspection will help the Landlord, or their appointed agent, determine any defects that may need to be addressed before the end of the lease term. For example, there may be a rusted tap due to fair wear and tear, that if left for a period of time, could cause a larger issue. If this is picked up during an interim inspection, this can be attended to quickly.
The main issues we look at in our interim inspections are to see if there are any issues with the internal walls and doors, garden maintenance, mildew in the bathroom ceilings and then, of course, the general condition of the cupboards, taps, carpets, tiles etc. It is important to note these so that we can then, at that time, address the issues and request that the Tenant does the repairs immediately and at their own cost. If these repairs or required maintenance is not done, we can then place the Tenant in breach to ensure that it is corrected as per the Lease Agreement.
If there is any “fair wear and tear” that is picked up by the Landlord, or their appointed agent, in the Interim Inspection, it is important that the Landlord also does these repairs to avoid this becoming a larger issue, which could increase the cost of damages in the future.
We are often asked why an interim inspection is important if there is a damages deposit in place?
Unfortunately, in a lot of instances, there is not enough money in the damages deposit to cover all the repairs or maintenance at the end of the Lease period. By ensuring that you have an Interim Inspection done, you are reducing the financial strain on the deposit and ensuring there will be enough money to cover all damages and possibly even outstanding utilities or rental amounts.
Look out for more articles in our Rawson Rentals Educational Series, aimed at sharing valuable insight into the rental experience from 40 years of expert knowledge on the rental market.
