5 Issues That Can Make You Fail An Apartment Inspection
Whether you’re moving to a new off campus housing community or want to renew your lease, your landlord might need to conduct an apartment inspection. Failing an apartment inspection can prevent you from being able to renew, get your full deposit back, or get a letter of recommendation from the landlord for future housing applications. While a certain amount of wear and tear is to be expected, your landlord will be looking for serious issues that could have been prevented or taken care of before the inspection.
To ensure you have no problems with your next move, avoid these five issues that can make you fail an apartment inspection.
If you’re looking for a new place to call home, contact The Connection at Lawrence today to schedule a tour of our stylish apartments in Lawrence, KS.
Dirty Or Damaged Flooring
Whether you have carpets, tile, laminate, hardwood, or another flooring type, replacing or cleaning it can be expensive for your landlord. That’s why clean flooring is crucial for passing an inspection. Whether it’s stains, scuffs, or other markings that weren’t there when you moved in, you should try your best to remove them beforehand. You can rent a steam cleaner or buy stain remover for much less than the amount you’ll be forfeiting by losing your deposit. As a final touch, go over the floors one last time with a vacuum cleaner or broom and mop to make it shine.
Broken Appliances
All appliances will eventually stop working over time, but as the tenant, you’re held responsible for alerting maintenance of any issues you might encounter with the appliances in your apartment. You should also be sure to take care of the appliances that you’re renting through the duration of your stay. Only use them as intended and clean them regularly with appropriate solutions. It can also help to wipe down all the appliances right before your inspection. Your landlord will appreciate your effort.
Holes In The Walls
Once all your artwork and decor are removed and packed away, look for any holes in the wall that need to be filled. The landlord is sure to notice them. Also, make note of any scuff marks that should be cleaned. Mark them with something that can be removed easily, like painter’s tape or a post-it note. Head to any store that sells basic home improvement items and purchase some spackling paste and sandpaper. Fill the holes with spackle, wait for it to dry, then sand it smooth. Use a thin layer of spackle for scuffs or try to wipe them clean.
Water Damage
Water damage can be the underlying cause of a lot of issues in apartments, including the growth of mold, sagging floors, discolored walls and flooring, cracks, and more. To prevent this from happening, be sure to wipe up spills immediately when they happen rather than allowing them to seep in. It’s also important to be aware of areas that are more likely to be exposed to water, such as the kitchen and bathrooms. It can help to have mats underneath sinks and outside of showers or bathtubs to help absorb water.
Breach Of Contract
It’s important to be aware of all the rules in your lease and to follow them. Things like smoking in the apartment can be immediately detected, no matter how many times you clean the apartment. You also shouldn’t have any roommates or sub-lease if it’s against the rules. After all, you don’t want to be held liable for something that someone else did. Having pets in your apartment should also be avoided if it’s against the rules. Dogs and cats not only shed fur but can also have accidents inside the home that can stain carpets and leave odors lingering long after you’ve cleaned it up.
Passing an apartment inspection is possible with a little bit of prevention and attention to detail. Good luck!