When you rent out a property (or multiple properties), it’s understandable that you’ll want to ensure your tenants are keeping them in good condition. However, as we’re sure you’re aware, you can’t pop in unannounced for an inspection. 

To ensure that you maintain a good relationship with your tenants, it’s important to know your rights and theirs when it comes to property inspections. Of course, if you work with Nottingham letting agents like us, we’ll be able to handle the logistics of property inspections on your behalf. 

So, what do you need to know when it comes to inspecting your rental properties? 

Notice for your tenant

To carry out any kind of inspection of your property or to make repairs, you are required to give your tenants a minimum of 24 hours’ notice of your visit. Crucially, you need to provide this notice in writing – so a casual phone call isn’t enough. 

Your tenant will also need to agree to the inspection, so be prepared to negotiate over when they are available to give you access to the property. 

Of course, there can be exceptions, such as if emergency repairs are required in the property, but this should be a rare occurrence and even in this instance, it’s important that you keep your tenant informed about who will be conducting the repairs and when they are expected to need access to the property. 

Agree periodic inspections upfront

One great idea is to agree when property inspections can take place with your tenant when they first move in. This sets the expectation that you will need to check in on your property and make sure everything is working as it should. 

We’re not suggesting you get a date and time in the diary on the day you hand over the keys, but by letting your tenant know that you will carry out three or six-monthly inspections on the property, you make it clear that this is a standard procedure. 

You can also explain that you’re doing so to ensure any maintenance issues get addressed early and encourage them to share any problems, no matter how small, they might have with the property during these inspections. 

Legal obligations

There are also certain inspections that legally have to be carried out on rental properties. These are annual gas safety inspections, electrical safety inspections every five years and energy performance assessments every ten years. 

For most landlords, it’s the gas safety checks that are the most pressing, as these legally need to be carried out every 12 months. Make sure your tenants understand that these checks are for their own safety and when booking the inspections in, liaise with your tenant to ensure it is at a time convenient for them. 

Respect your tenants’ rights

Legally, your tenants do have the right to refuse you entry to the property if you turn up unannounced, unless there is a clear emergency situation. 

The 1988 Housing Act gives tenants the right to “quiet enjoyment” of their home, which means that they should not be disturbed by their landlord or anyone else while living there. The general advice is not to conduct inspections more frequently than every three months and to always speak to your tenant in advance to arrange a time for a visit.