How often do I need to do property inspections?
There needs to be an inspection done every three months and in between tenancies to meet our landlord obligations under our landlord insurance policy. This can be done yourself or by the person who manages your tenancy (e.g. property manager). The inspection will need to confirm the interior and exterior condition of the property and you need to keep a record of the results.
These landlord obligations and inspections only need to be met if you are making a tenancy-related claim. These include tenant damage, meth contamination and loss of rent after a tenant is evicted or leaves.
If you don’t fully complete your inspections it won’t void your policy. The cover for non-tenancy claims like floods and sudden water damage are still covered.
Can I complete inspections remotely?
At initio, we require an agent or a trusted representative physically present at the property for inspections. This ensures a thorough evaluation of the property’s condition and facilitates real-time reporting, serving as your on-the-ground resource. Advantages of having an in-person representative include:
- Real-time condition verification and data reporting during the inspection process.
- Being your dedicated eyes and ears on the ground, diligently checking the property’s condition.
- Early identification of any potential issues, damages, or repairs that could potentially be missed in a purely remote inspection.
However, we understand there may be special circumstances such as illness or lockdowns where remote inspections become necessary. These should be exceptions rather than the norm. In such cases, a trusted representative or official agent’s physical presence during the inspection is critical to maintain the assessment’s accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Looking ahead, we’re mindful of emerging technologies that could potentially streamline remote inspections. However, as of now, the value of in-person inspections is paramount. Always remember that our advice serves as a guideline, not an inflexible rule. Each property and situation may require a different approach, and decisions should be tailored to your specific circumstances and needs.
What happens if I can’t inspect my property every three months due to illness?
Initio’s landlord guidance is that you, or someone on your behalf, should carry out an internal and external inspection at least every three months, and also between tenancies. These inspections are an important part of meeting landlord obligations for tenancy-related claims, such as tenant damage, meth contamination, or loss of rent after eviction.
That said, if inspections aren’t completed exactly on time, your policy is not automatically void. Claims that aren’t tenancy-related (like fire, flood, or sudden water damage) remain covered.
For tenancy-related claims, inspections generally need to be done in person by you, a property manager, or another trusted representative. We do recognise that there may be special circumstances, like illness, where remote inspections are the only option. These should be the exception rather than the norm, and having someone physically present is always preferred to keep records accurate.
If you’re in a situation where inspections are difficult, please reach out to our team. We’ll be happy to talk through your options and help make sure you’re covered.
Further information
Please refer to the New Zealand tenancy services site for specific information around property inspections, including;
- your rights
- your tenant’s rights
- a sample inspection form
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