Inspecting a rental property may seem straightforward. You walk through the property, check that everything is in order and take a few photos.
Yet landlords regularly forget important things during an inspection. A small piece of damage that is not documented, a missing key or a meter reading that was never recorded. It may not seem important at the time, but months later it can suddenly become a problem.
A good inspection does not have to take long. You just need to know what to look for.
1. Small signs of damage
A small scratch on a door, a stain on a wall or a damaged skirting board can easily be overlooked during a quick walk-through.
These small details are exactly the kind of things you should document. If the damage was already there when the tenancy started, you do not want an argument about it later.
Take your time going through each room and record even minor defects. Adding a photo makes things even clearer.
2. Photos of the entire property
Landlords often take photos of obvious damage but forget to photograph the rest of the property.
That is a missed opportunity. Photos of the property's overall condition provide useful context. They show what the walls, floors, doors, kitchen and bathroom looked like when the tenancy started.
You do not need a separate photo of every detail. Just make sure every room is clearly captured and take additional photos of any existing damage.
3. Meter readings
Meter readings are surprisingly easy to forget.
Record the readings for gas, water and electricity where applicable. It is also a good idea to take a photo of the meters at the same time.
This gives you a clear starting point and helps prevent disputes about usage before or after the tenancy.
4. The number of keys
"The tenant has the keys, right?"
That sounds simple enough until you discover that a key is missing at the end of the tenancy.
Record how many keys you hand over and what each key is for. Do not just think about the front door. There may also be keys for a storage room, mailbox, garage or shared entrance.
At the final inspection, you can then easily check that everything has been returned.
5. Appliances and inventory
Are you renting out a furnished property or does the property include appliances? Make sure these are part of your inspection too.
Think about the fridge, dishwasher, oven, washing machine and any other equipment that belongs to the property.
Do not just record that an appliance is present. Also note any visible damage or other relevant details. That way, you know what condition it was in at the start of the tenancy.
6. Walls, floors and ceilings
During an inspection, attention often goes to furniture, doors and appliances. Larger surfaces can easily be overlooked.
Make sure you check the walls, floors and ceilings as well.
Are there already holes in the wall? Is there a stain on the ceiling? Is there damage to the flooring? Document it before the new tenancy begins.
These are exactly the kinds of things that can lead to disagreements later.
7. The bathroom and kitchen
The kitchen and bathroom get a lot of use during a tenancy. Yet they are not always documented in enough detail.
Check things such as the sanitary fixtures, sealant, tiles, taps, cabinets and countertops. Also look for existing limescale, damage or other visible signs of wear.
You do not need to create a technical inspection report. The goal is simply to clearly document the condition of the property at that point in time.
8. Garden, balcony and storage areas
The inspection does not stop at the front door.
Does the property have a garden, balcony, garage, shed or storage room? Include these areas in your inspection as well.
For example, document the condition of the garden, any damage to the fencing and which items are stored in the shed or storage room.
These areas are especially easy to forget during a final inspection.
9. Special agreements
Some agreements do not fit neatly into a standard inspection checklist.
Perhaps the tenant is allowed to paint a wall. Maybe you have agreed that a particular piece of furniture will remain in the property. Or perhaps the tenant has agreed to take care of a specific repair.
Put these agreements in writing.
What seems obvious to both parties today may be much less clear a year from now.
10. Confirming the inspection
An inspection report is most useful when it is clear that both parties agree with what it contains.
Have both the landlord and tenant review and confirm the report. With a digital inspection, this can easily be done with a digital signature.
That way, both parties have the same document to refer back to later.
A good inspection prevents problems later
Most tenancies go smoothly, of course. Even so, it is worth properly documenting the condition of the property from the start.
The goal is not to describe every detail down to the millimetre. What matters is having a clear record of the property's condition, including existing damage, photos, meter readings, keys and any agreements you have made.
Because when something is disputed at the end of a tenancy, you do not want to rely on your memory.
You simply want to be able to look back.
Document everything in just a few minutes
With Kamerinspectie, you can walk through the property with your tenant, document the condition of each room and add photos. You can also easily include meter readings, keys and notes in the report.
Both parties can then confirm the report digitally, giving you a complete document for your records straight away.
A good inspection takes only a little time — and it can save you a lot of hassle later.
Want to know how it works? See how to create a move-in inspection report, or learn more about creating a move-out inspection report.