The landlord’s guide to property inspections

Whether you’re a first-time landlord or have built up a portfolio over the years, one thing remains constant: your property is an important asset, and it needs looking after. Regular property inspections are a key part of that. They help catch maintenance issues early, ensure tenants are treating the home with respect, and ultimately protect your investment.

But if the idea of booking appointments, drafting inspection reports, and chasing maintenance work sounds time-consuming – don’t worry. A professional lettings agent like Jacobs Steel can take all of that off your plate.

Why inspections are so important

Inspections aren’t about checking up on your tenants – they’re a proactive way to maintain the quality, safety, and value of your property. Benefits include:

Spotting maintenance issues early
Minor problems like dripping taps, condensation, or cracked tiles can escalate if left unchecked. Regular inspections help you deal with them before they become costly repairs.
Ensuring tenants are meeting their responsibilities
Most tenants are respectful and tidy, but inspections help ensure the property is being looked after and used as agreed.
Staying compliant
Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring the property is safe and in good repair. Inspections support your compliance with gas, electrical and fire safety regulations.
Strengthening the landlord-tenant relationship
When handled professionally, inspections show tenants you care about the property and their wellbeing.

How often should inspections take place?

There’s no legal requirement, but most landlords follow this schedule:

First inspection: Around 3 months after the tenancy begins
Routine inspections: Every 6 months, unless issues arise that warrant more frequent checks

If you’re using a managing agent, this will typically be part of their standard service, with reports and follow-up actions handled for you.

What’s involved in an inspection?

A thorough inspection will check:

Exterior areas: Roof, gutters, fencing, windows and external paintwork
Safety equipment: Smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, door locks
Kitchens and bathrooms: Look out for leaks, mould, water damage, or broken appliances
Overall condition: Cleanliness, signs of neglect or misuse, or unreported damage
Letting compliance: Evidence of unauthorised occupants or subletting

An experienced lettings agent like Jacobs Steel will follow a structured checklist, document any issues, and provide a full report so nothing is missed, and you’re kept in the loop without having to step foot on site.

Keeping it legal: your responsibilities

By law, landlords must provide at least 24 hours’ written notice before entering the property, and visits must be at a reasonable time of day. At Jacobs Steel, we handle this communication for our landlords, arranging inspections directly with tenants and ensuring everything stays compliant and respectful.

Post-inspection: what happens next?

After the visit, any necessary repairs or maintenance will be documented and followed up, either with you directly or, if you’re using our full management service, arranged swiftly through our network of trusted local contractors.

You’ll receive a clear report highlighting any findings, along with photos and recommendations where needed. It’s one less thing for you to worry about.

How Jacobs Steel makes it easier

Managing property inspections can be time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be. With Jacobs Steel’s fully managed lettings service, we take care of:

Scheduling inspections at the right intervals
Communicating with tenants
Completing detailed condition reports
Identifying and reporting any issues
Coordinating necessary maintenance and repairs

It’s a stress-free way to keep your property in top condition, reduce the risk of expensive surprises, and stay on top of legal requirements – all while knowing your investment is being properly looked after.

Find out more about how a lettings agent can help you manage your rental property.

Ready to hand over the hassle?

Let Jacobs Steel take care of inspections and everything else that comes with managing your rental property. Contact our lettings team today to find out how we can support you.