How Often Should Landlords Inspect Rental Properties?
Owning rental property means more than collecting rent—it means protecting your investment. And one of the most effective (yet underused) tools for doing that is the rental inspection.
But how often should landlords actually conduct inspections? Are there legal guidelines? Best practices? And how do you do it without frustrating tenants or giving off “helicopter landlord” energy?
Let’s break it down.
What Is a Rental Inspection?
A rental property inspection is a visual walkthrough of a unit to evaluate its current condition, spot any lease violations, and document the property’s state over time. It’s often referred to as a:
• Property condition check
• Lease compliance inspection
• Mid-lease walkthrough
The point? To protect both landlord and tenant by creating a clear, photo-based record of the rental’s condition.
When Are Rental Inspections Typically Conducted?
Most inspections fall into one of these four categories:
1. Move-in Inspection – Before the tenant receives keys
2. Move-out Inspection – After the tenant vacates
3. Mid-Lease or Annual Inspection – During tenancy
4. Drive-by or Curbside Inspection – Exterior-only
It’s that third one—mid-lease inspections—that often gets skipped. But that’s the one that protects you while the tenant still lives there.
How Often Should You Inspect?
Best practice: Once per year
According to industry research from Buildium, most professional property managers recommend annual interior inspections. This cadence helps:
• Catch minor issues before they become expensive repairs
• Enforce lease terms (e.g., unauthorized pets, smoking)
• Provide legal documentation for potential disputes
• Show the tenant that the property is being cared for
California landlords are allowed to inspect a property with 24 hours’ written notice (Civil Code Section 1954). Lease language usually supports 1-2 inspections per year for maintenance and condition checks.
So while it’s not legally required, inspecting once a year is often considered standard for responsible rental management.
Why Landlords Skip Inspections
Even if it’s a good idea, many landlords don’t follow through. Why?
• They live out of town
• They don’t want to inconvenience the tenant
• They’re unsure how to ask for permission
• They’re too busy
The result? Small problems go unnoticed until they become big ones. And landlords miss the opportunity to document lease compliance.
How to Make Inspections Easy (and Actually Happen)
This is where a third-party service like Rental Exams comes in.
Rental Exams provides flat-rate, mid-lease inspections across California—perfect for annual checks. Here’s what we offer:
• Tenant Coordination: We schedule with the tenant for you.
• Professional Inspectors: Trained to perform non-invasive, photo-based walkthroughs.
• Detailed Reports: Includes 20+ timestamped photos and notes on property condition.
• Flat Rate: $159 per inspection, no contracts or subscriptions.
It’s built for landlords who want documentation without driving across the state—or dealing with awkward tenant interactions.
Learn more: About Rental Exams
Final Takeaway
If you’re a landlord in California (or anywhere), a simple annual inspection could save you thousands in future damage, repairs, or disputes.
It’s about peace of mind, professional documentation, and proactive protection.
You don’t have to inspect monthly. You just have to inspect smart.
And Rental Exams makes that easy.
Start your next inspection today: Request Service
