In the first quarter of 2023, investors purchased 27% of single-family homes. Have you taken part in the recent property investment trend?
Do you own an investment property in the Harrisburg area? This area ranked among the tightest rental markets in the country in 2023. You may have questions about Harrisburg property maintenance and rental inspection guidelines.
Find the ideal frequency for rental property inspections in Harrisburg. Keep reading to learn how to improve tenant satisfaction and property upkeep with our expert advice!
Legal Requirements for Landlords in Harrisburg
The City of Harrisburg has a residential rental program designed to ensure its residents' health, safety, and welfare. The program came about for a few reasons. One was growing concern about the general lack of maintenance and upkeep. The other was the resulting decline in the city's residential rental units.
Landlords have been lax about following city codes and have had a greater incidence of violations. This systematic registration and inspection program aims to minimize these violations.
Owners must inspect properties at least once every five years unless an inspection is required to investigate a complaint regarding the residential rental unit.
Best Practices for Landlords
When you own a rental property, it is important to protect your investment by maintaining your property. While you don't want to be an absentee landlord, it's important to walk a fine line.
You cannot infringe on your tenant's privacy rights. The best inspection schedule includes move-in and move-out inspections, seasonal inspections, and inspections after missed rent payments.
Understanding Tenant Rights and Privacy
Tenants have the right to quiet enjoyment of the property and privacy. Act professionally and inform your tenant of the reason for the inspection.
Property managers and landlords aren't allowed to enter a property without giving the tenant notice of the inspection. The tenant should be afforded 24 hours' notice.
Reasons for Conducting Inspections
What are some reasons for inspecting your residential rental property? We will discuss them here.
Maintenance Issues
It's important to stay on top of small maintenance needs, especially if your tenant notifies you of an issue. You'll keep your tenant satisfied and avoid larger repairs that could result from neglected repairs.
Conducting seasonal inspections, like checking the furnace before winter, is a great way to make sure they happen consistently and ensure they do not inconvenience your tenants.
Compliance with Lease Terms and City Codes
When drawing up a lease, a landlord can include a maintenance schedule so that the tenant knows the frequency of inspections. Landlords must also follow the city code regarding inspections.
Property Protection
To protect your investment and minimize potential damage, periodic inspections are necessary.
Rental Property Inspections
Now that you know how often you should conduct rental property inspections, you can put together a routine inspection schedule. It's the key to protecting your investment and your bottom line. Remember to balance monitoring your property with respecting your tenant's privacy.
Harrisburg Property Management provides comprehensive property management services. We work with landlords in the Harrisburg area. Contact us today for property management tips and to learn more about our amazing services.
