Rental Property Inspection – who, when and why
Managing a rental property can be daunting. There are so many rules and regulations to follow in order to keep everyone happy. Property inspections are an important part of this list of things to do.
As per the Residential Tenancy Agreement, a property inspection report should be completed to record the condition of the property at the start of the tenancy. Tenancy Services NZ suggests that the rental property inspection is completed in partnership with the new tenant. The report and physical presence of the new tenant are intended to help avoid disputes.
While completing the rental property inspection, it is important that photos are captured. This will assist with showing the agreed condition of the property if required in the future.
Once the tenancy has ended, we can come back and re-inspect the property. We suggest using the initial inspection report to compare against. Comparing against the first inspection will help you identify if anything has been damaged during the tenancy.
It is both the landlord’s and the tenant’s responsibility to keep the rental property in good condition. Below is an overview of responsibilities for both.
Tenants responsibility
- Keep the property tidy and clean
- Open the windows and let fresh air through the property frequently
- Do not move the smoke alarms, leave them where they are
- Tell the landlord if there is something wrong
Landlords responsibility
- Complete regular inspections and maintain the property in a reasonable state
- Ensure all smoke alarms, heating and drainage are working correctly
- Ensure the rental property can be ventilated well
- Ensure the insulation complies with New Zealand regulations
Healthy Homes Inspections
The Healthy Home Standards became law in New Zealand on 1 July 2019. These standards were created to ensure all New Zealand people have healthy homes to keep them safe, dry and warm. There are multiple sections that need to pass in order for a property to be up to standard:
To find out more about the New Zealand Healthy Home Standards, click here.
Our Inspectors at Betta Property Compliance are here to protect you and your tenants, which is why they provide both Healthy Homes Inspections and Rental Property Inspections. If you want to find out more information about our services, or simply want to book one in, give one of our friendly customer service representatives a call on 0800 422 388 or email info@bettagroup.co.nz.