Protecting Your Investment: Rental Property Inspections

February 17, 2022

Whenever you purchase a property, it is in your best interest to have the building professionally inspected to understand its condition to invest with sound judgment. For most people, this means they will hire a home inspector before they finish closing on their single-family home.

However, suppose you are a property manager, real estate investor, or landlord purchasing a multi-family rental property like an apartment building or sizeable rental complex. In that case, you will also want to get a professional inspection conducted at the time of purchase. Your tenants and renters will be the primary dwellers, so your inspection timeline differs from the average homeowner’s. Here’s what you need to know about rental property inspections:

What is a Rental Property Inspection?

When inspecting any property type, the inspector will assess all the major systems and structures of the building. For a rental property, some of these significant structures and systems are shared by multiple units: roof, foundation, mechanical systems such HVAC, electrical, and plumbing, and sewer connections, to name a few. As the building owner, it’s essential to know how much working life is remaining in these components or if any significant defects pose a risk to your tenants or the health of the building.

Individual Units

It is strongly recommended that your inspector assess every unit within the building during your inspection. You never know what state the previous owners and tenants left their units in, and just because one unit is in good condition does not guarantee that all units in the property are in the same condition. Ensure you are allowed access to each unit at the time of the inspection.

Environmental Concerns

Lastly, there are environmental concerns that may impact your property. Issues like mold, asbestos, lead paint, radon, and even wood destroying organisms like termites pose a serious risk to your tenant’s health and often require a high cost to cover the remediation. Check with your inspector to see if they offer any of these additional services, as regulations and licensing vary by state.

When is the Right Time for Rental Property inspection?

Initial Purchase of the Property

Getting an inspection allows the buyer to see the complete picture and fully understand their investment.

Routine and Follow Up Inspections

Routine maintenance is necessary for all property types. Not only does it ensure the longevity of the various home system and components, but it’s an excellent way to catch issues early before they lead to more significant, more expensive problems. Since most property managers or landlords do not live in their buildings, you have to rely on tenants to notify you when any issues arise. To get ahead of problems before they become more extensive, you may want to create a timeline to conduct routine property inspections yourself to be aware of the condition of the specific units and overall building over time. Checks can be as simple as a drive-by inspection to assess the exterior’s condition to walkthrough inspections of units every few months.

You will want to hire a professional home inspector to inspect the entire property every 3-5 years, primarily to assess the building’s shared features like the roof, crawlspace, and foundation. Call on the inspector’s technical expertise and specialized tools to uncover the condition of everything more thoroughly than you would be able to learn during a walkthrough inspection on your own. The inspection report will detail any defects found and give you a clear picture of any repairs needed now or in the future.

Wrapping Up

For owners of multi-family rental properties, routine inspections to continually monitor the condition of your property are just as important as the initial property inspection during the purchasing process. Staying on top of this will help you catch any issues that arise early, saving you time and money in the long run!


To Read the Full Article

ASHI offers its members unparalleled resources to advance their careers. ASHI offers training for inspectors at all levels of knowledge and experience, including resources about all major home systems. Members benefit from a vast network of experienced professionals, providing a community for mentorship and knowledge sharing..

Learn More About Membership »

In this Issue

Crawl Bots for Home Inspectors: Are They Worth the Investment?

Crawl spaces aren’t exactly the highlight of a home inspector’s day. Stuffy, cramped, and poorly lit, these areas present a significant challenge. In fact, with some inspectors reporting hazards such as animals, exposed wiring, and toxins like mold and sewage, crawl spaces can be more than uncomfortable. They can be dangerous.

A Letter From the New President

Looking back at my journey to become ASHI President, I can only say—Wow! It seems like only yesterday that I took the leap to be a home inspector. I remember very well the day when one of my mentors threatened to give me a swift kick and said, “You need to start booking your own inspections. You know this stuff!” At the time I could only think, “Who, me? You have to be kidding. I’m too new to the world of home inspections.”

A Brief History of Pipes

Plumbing systems are certainly an important part of home inspections. Have you ever considered how plumbing and water supply systems were developed? Knowing about these changes through the years sheds light on some terms and practices still used today.

What You Don’t Know About Smart Homes

In 1962, The Jetsons aired as a comical view of the future with their smart home. In 1966 Americans first viewed Star Trek; most of its tech has since become a reality. Since then many TV series and major movie productions have featured futuristic homes, including Tony Stark’s mansion in Iron Man and the smart home in I.T. (2016)

ASHI Edge: A New Era of Education

In December 2021, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) launched its all-new online education platform: the ASHI Edge. The momentous endeavor was headed by ASHI’s Director of Education Edwin Barrera and his skillful team in the education department.

ASHI Thanks Our Affiliates!

The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to our 2021-2022 Affiliate Members for their continued support and the positive impact they provide the ASHI community!

Recognizing Our IW 2022 Exhibitors

ASHI was looking forward to returning to an in-person conference in 2022. Unfortunately, with the onset of the new Omicron variant coupled with the ongoing Delta variant, ASHI was forced to cancel the in-person conference, InspectionWorld 2022, January 16-19, 2022, in Orlando.

Postcards From The Field

It's Wacky Out There!
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Professional Networking

Grow your professional network, find a mentor, network with the best, and best part of the community that’s making home inspection better every day.