What Should a Walkthrough Report Look Like?
Regular property walkthroughs assist you in proactively identifying any concerns with your property before they become larger, more expensive ones. It not only saves you money, but it also keeps communication open between your renters and you or your property manager. Continue reading for an outline of what routine inspection reports should look like so you know you’ve covered everything.
What’s included in a routine inspection report?
Each walkthruogh should address all of the items in the property that could have issues to preserve the condition of your home as well as any issues a tenant may have. By addressing problems as soon as they arise, you may save money by repairing items that only require minor repairs, and you and your property manager will demonstrate that you care about your renters and want to ensure that they are happy and comfortable in the home for the long term.
A list of what should be included in a routine inspection report is generated by most property management software programs. Using a template like this helps keep the walkthroughs uniform and allows easy reference should you need to compare for maintenance issues and even deposit disposition. In general, each area will have a list of items to check and report on. Following broad information such as the tenant’s information, for example, the report will go into objects to inspect in the kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, living spaces, and laundry. Fixtures and fittings, floors, windowsills, windows, and walls are all items to inspect inside each section. More information will be provided in the kitchen to inspect and report on the status of equipment such as the dishwasher, oven, stove, and exhaust fan.
Don’t forget photos and videos
Ensure that images and videos are made during the inspection to catch any areas that require more care as well as to simply record the property’s condition at the moment. Many programs will let you upload photographs and videos to your report. If your software lacks this feature, simply storing the images in a separate folder marked with the inspection date would work. The idea is to keep precise records and save them in case you need to refer to them later.
Storing and building on previous reports
If you are not inputting walkthrough information electronically at the time of inspection, you should enter the information into your property management software as soon as possible after the inspection is done. Keeping an accurate record at walkthrough periods will help you and your property manager to keep track of what is improving or degrading over time. This is especially true for move-in and move-out checks.
By verifying and documenting everything on a specific list, walkthrough reports give a crucial snapshot of your property’s condition. Maintaining a regular schedule of inspections can keep your property in great shape and your renters satisfied, whether you use sophisticated technology to create reports or just download and print the relevant reporting forms.
Remember, this article does not constitute financial or legal advice. Please consult your professional financial and legal advisors before making any decisions for yourself.
Contact us at info@wellspringpm.com or call 760-371-4282 to find out how Wellspring Property Management can help you with your investments.
