Move on to the Interior Inspection

After you’ve completed your exterior inspection, it’s time to inspect the inside of your rental property. If winter weather has caused any interior damage, tenants will likely know about it and hopefully inform you of any issues. However, it’s still a good idea as the landlord or property manager to do a quick walk-through. During this inspection, you should:

Start from the bottom up

• Check the basement for water damage and look for any foundation cracks. 
•  Note the condition of the flooring. Winter weather can mean snow and salted roads, depending on where your property is located, so check the carpet, tile, Hardwood etc. for any damage that may have been tracked inside.
• Inspect around all of the windows. Look for ripped or broken screens, and check for air leakage from damaged weather stripping or caulking. 
• Assess the damage caused by roof or siding leaks. This damage could range from soggy drywall and mold to warped flooring, brown spots on the ceiling, or compromised electrical fixtures. Because this affects the unit’s habitability, handle this repair promptly.
• Turn on the air conditioner. First and foremost, make sure the air conditioning is working. If it’s not, be sure to call a professional to get the issue resolved before the weather warms. It’s also a good time to replace your HVAC filters.
• Spring is a great time to clean air filters, replace furnace filters, and even vacuum the refrigerator coils. 
• Clean the dryer vent. This will fall on the landlord and should be done at least once a year, depending on the size of the building and the number of people using it. Clogged dryer vents are a very serious fire hazard, so landlords don’t skimp on this. Ask the renter if they notice that it’s taking an unusually long time to dry clothes, This could be a sign of lint build-up, which is very dangerous.
• Spring is a good time to have the chimney serviced, Because this is done in the fall, you may be able to get quicker service and a better rate if you do it in the spring.
• Check for signs of pests. While in the unit, check for termites, cockroaches, ants, and rodents. Critters tend to take cover in the walls during winter, so they will likely still be there when spring comes. Now is the time to get rid of them, so hire a professional pest control service to treat the unit if you see any signs of pests.

The checklist may seem extensive, but we encourage landlords not to skip any steps, take it to step by step;
Make a plan
Do an inspection of your property(s) cross-checking with your plan
Start to fix!
It’s time to itemize the repairs you need to make.

Get to the most pertinent fixes first then work from there. If a repair is deemed urgent, take care of it as soon as possible. Other maintenance issues that aren’t as immediate can be repaired at a later date, but keep your itemized list as a reminder to check back on the issue. Keep in mind that repairs can always be done next year however To avoid those issues worsening, keep up with your routine inspections and repairs; and remember, always give tenants proper notice before entering the property for inspections or to make repairs.