Whether it’s relocating to a new city or neighbourhood, renting is a great way to get a feel for the area without making too much of a financial commitment. Working with a reputable property management company can facilitate a smooth inspection process before and after the move for the landlord and the potential tenant, ensuring a safe home that complies with local laws.

At Maximum Property Solutions, our experienced managers follow rigorous inspection protocols to determine any issues or concerns before prospective tenants move into your rental property. We aim to ensure a stress-free experience while meeting the highest quality and safety standards.

Common Reasons for Rental Inspections in Windsor, Ontario

In Windsor, landlords and property managers must notify tenants 24 hours in advance if they wish to conduct rental inspections for the following purposes:

Maintenance

Over the course of a rental agreement, an apartment or house may experience structural or water damage. This can raise safety concerns, necessitating property managers or landlords to conduct inspections and perform maintenance or repair work.

New Installations

Besides maintenance and repairs, an apartment, house, or other rental property may require an aesthetic uplift. In such situations, landlords or property managers can provide an inspection notice to carry out the necessary improvements or renovations.

Rental Property Tours

When showing prospective tenants the available rental units, landlords or property managers may issue an inspection notice to the current residents.

Lease Violations

Not all renters are the same, as some show blatant disregard for the property of others, causing damage to their valuable items or violating the terms and conditions of the lease.

In such situations, landlords or property managers may issue an inspection notice to investigate their suspicions.

Moving Out Process

When one tenant moves out, the rental property owner or their team is responsible for carrying out a basic inspection and assessing any costly damages.

Normal wear and tear when renting an apartment or housing unit is common. However, tenants must cover expensive damages and address any safety hazards left behind.

In most cases, landlords or property managers use the security deposit to make the necessary repairs or modifications. This ensures a safe and ready-to-move unit for the next tenant.

Extenuating Circumstances

While rental property inspection laws require landlords or property managers to issue notice before inspections, this is not required in some cases involving extenuating circumstances.

A court order, tenant abandonment, and violation of safety codes are all situations that do not require an inspection notice.

Notifying Tenants of the Rental Inspections in Windsor, Ontario

While it is the right of the landlord or managers to carry out regular property inspections, the law protects the tenants and ensures their privacy by requiring homeowners or management companies to provide a written or typed notice. It should contain the following information:

• Name of the tenant and the complete address of the place they’re renting out
• The time and date of the rental inspection
• Alert the tenant of the person (whether it is the property owner, manager, or handyman) who will be visiting the rental unit

As mentioned earlier, property managers or landlords may not need to provide a 24-hour notice in some extenuating situations. However, it is best to inform the tenant of an upcoming inspection to maintain a positive relationship with them.

The Dos and Donts of a Rental Property Inspection

There are many ways to conduct a rental property inspection to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience for the tenant and the property manager or landlord. Here are the dos and don’ts:

Do Give Proper Notice

To ensure a positive tenant-landlord relationship, giving proper inspection notice is essential.

While the law requires 24 hours, we highly recommend scheduling maintenance, routine checkups, or repairs at least a week in advance. This gives the tenant enough time to prepare for the day.

Do Schedule Routine Property Inspections

Whether it is a periodic inspection or any other type of inspection, it’s important to schedule them regularly so that it can set expectations for the tenant on how the landlord or manager wants to run the property.

Do Keep the Tenant’s Privacy in Mind

While some situations do not require a notice of inspection, it’s essential to respect the renter’s privacy, always give them a heads-up, and request permission before entering the rental premises. Such practices can ensure happier tenants and help maintain trust and integrity.

Do Create a Rental Inspection Checklist

Whether it’s routine inspections or resolving maintenance issues, it’s important to create a checklist and think about all of the things you want to add to it. This will allow you to systematically assess the property and address any concerns in an efficient manner.

Do Document Everything (Routine, Safety, and Pre-inspections)

While regular inspections are crucial to ensure the optimal condition of the rental property, it’s important to document these and other types of routine checkups in the lease agreement. This practice sets the right expectations and ensures clear communication from the start.

Do Think About the Renters

Landlords and property management companies often fail to prioritize their tenants’ needs. They are quick to ask them to rearrange their schedules or provide them with access to the rental unit at an inopportune time, which could lead to poor reviews and complaints.

Always be thoughtful about what you’re asking from the tenant. Whether it’s move-out inspections or pest control, communicate and work with the renter in a courteous manner.

Don’t Trample Over the Tenant’s Rights

Always be respectful of the tenant’s rights. While you may not like it when they throw a party, they still have the right to privacy and may not appreciate the excessive or regular inspections. Talk to them to minimize the disruptions to their life.

Don’t Give Vague Notices

Your tenants shouldn’t feel uneasy about routine checkups or worry about their privacy being invaded during their lease period. It’s best to provide a notice of inspection that is clear and concise and falls within the terms and conditions mentioned in the lease agreement.

Work with a Commercial Property Management Company for Rental Inspections in Windsor, Ontario!

Whether it’s a move-in inspection or a routine safety check, Maximum Property Solutions works with landlords and tenants in Windsor, Ontario, to manage rentals and ensure a safe tenancy.

Call us at (519) 969-7159 to schedule a consultation with our experienced property managers for a unique customer-centric approac