Found a new tenant? Congratulations! After completing 11 out of 12 steps in renting out your flat, it’s time for handover! But first, a home rental inspection is in order.
A property inspection assesses the condition of the flat throughout the rental cycle. Regular inspections will protect your investment, ensure tenant safety, and maintain property value.
A move-in inspection is done before a handover so that both owner and tenant know the condition of the property. A move-out inspection can also be done to see if there are any damage incurred during the current tenant’s stay. In both cases, using a checklist to note down and compare any changes in the property is helpful.
Prepare your pen and paper when doing a property inspection — this is a must to complete the inventory list. You do not want to make several trips in the next four weeks, during the problem-free period, just to fix the defects that your tenants will spot.
1. AC Power Plugs, Sockets, and Lighting
Adequate lighting avoids accidents inside the home. Turn on all the lights and test all power plugs to ensure they all work. This may seem simple, yet a minor work like light and bulb replacement can cost $10 to $30, depending on the category and nature of the light.
Exposed and faulty wirings should also be fixed as they are fire risks.
2. Appliances
Ensure that the washing machine and fridge are working well, as these are the two most-used appliances in a house. Leaks from the washing machine are common, so check that the filter is working, too.
For a refrigerator, a defective motor is the leading reason for repairs. Leave it on for 30 minutes and check if it’s cooling and freezing properly. If not, the compressor might be defective. Fridge repair cost starts at $90, not including the replacement of parts. If it’s under warranty, the price may be lower.
An appliance that is often overlooked but definitely needs to be checked for its condition is a smoke detector. It’s not always within the owner’s or tenant’s view, so it’s easy to forget about it. However, an alarm that will alert the people inside the house to any emergency involving fire is valuable.
3. Air-Conditioning Unit
The previous tenant must have scheduled the routine 3-month cleaning schedule before the handover. This ensures that your AC is at optimal functionality. Frequent maintenance will save you some bucks from chemical washing or changing of units, which can cost $100.
Recent news revealed that Singapore is heating up twice as fast as the rest of the world. This spells trouble for our little red dot because humidity is high here all year round. Hence, your new tenant will definitely ask for proof of your aircon maintenance. The move-in date might be delayed if your aircon is not cooling well.
4. Pipes, Drains, and Plumbing
Kitchen and bathroom sinks are often overlooked during handover inspections. These areas do the dirty work around your home. Clogging causes flooding and other problems such as wet wood and rotting.
In addition, plumbing is essential in sanitation, so don’t forget to check for leaks and drips and to have those fixed, if present. Do preventive works before your new tenants move in, drain de-cloggers are available for as low as $7.
5. Doors, Locks, and Windows
Who wants to move into a house without a lock? This may seem like a no-brainer, yet it happens. Don’t wait before it’s too late for you to find out that not all your doorknobs have keys, or worse, that the locks at your main gate is defective. Meanwhile, broken glass windows or damaged frames are not only a hazard but are a safety concern as well.
Key duplication starts from $30, but if the previous tenant has lost all the keys and you can’t recover them, it’s better to replace the knobs, which can start at $10. If the windows can also be locked, make sure that those also work.
Need Help Selling, Buying, or Renting? Ohmyhome Is Here
Now, you’ve prepared your inventory list. May you have a smooth handover process! But if you need professional handyman work for your flat before handing it over to your new tenant, you can get in touch with us at +65 9755 9283.
You can also rely on Ohmyhome’s expert agents if you need help selling your current flat or buying a new place to live in. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you!
Ready to sell your home? We’re ready to help.
Schedule a consultation with one of Singapore’s top agents.
Ready to sell your home? We’re ready to help.
Schedule a consultation with one of Singapore’s top agents.
Ready to sell your home? We’re ready to help.
Schedule a consultation with one of Singapore’s top agents.
Ready to sell your home? We’re ready to help.
Schedule a consultation with one of Singapore’s top agents.
Ready to sell your home? We’re ready to help.
Schedule a consultation with one of Singapore’s top agents.
+65 9755 9283 
hello@ohmyhome.com 
