Owning rentals in LA is smoother when inspections are planned, consistent, and well-documented. At TGN Property Management, we use a predictable cadence that protects your asset, keeps residents safe, and supports compliance. In short: we complete move-in and move-out inspections for every tenancy, conduct periodic interior inspections annually (or semi-annually for certain properties), and perform drive-by inspections quarterly as a baseline.
As our Los Angeles Property Management Company recommends, the best inspection program is proactive, standardized, and flexible enough to adapt to property age, tenant history, and city requirements.
Quick Answer: Our Recommended Inspection Cadence
- Move-In Inspection: Every new tenancy, thoroughly documented before key handoff.
- Periodic Interior Inspection: At least once per year; twice per year for older assets, high-turnover units, or properties with past issues.
- Drive-By Inspection: Quarterly as standard; monthly if a unit or exterior has active concerns.
- Move-Out Inspection: Every vacancy, plus a legally compliant pre-move-out inspection offered about 14 days before lease end.
This is the baseline TGN Property Management plan our Los Angeles Property Management Company recommends for most Los Angeles rentals.
Why Inspection Frequency Matters in Los Angeles
- Habitability and safety: Early detection of leaks, mold risks, trip hazards, and detector issues avoids costly claims.
- Tenant satisfaction: Fast fixes and preventive care demonstrate professionalism and reduce turnover.
- Documentation for disputes: Time-stamped photos and checklists protect your position on security deposits and damage claims.
- Local compliance: LA has periodic habitability inspections at the city level. We coordinate and keep your unit inspection-ready.
As our Los Angeles Property Management Company recommends, set the inspection schedule once during onboarding, then review annually to align with market and building conditions.
Move-In Inspections: Set the Standard from Day One
- Frequency: Every tenancy, without exception.
- What we do:
- Room-by-room photo/video documentation with condition notes.
- Test smoke/CO detectors, locks, windows, plumbing fixtures, HVAC, and appliances.
- Confirm cleanliness, pest-free status, and code-related items like water heater strapping where applicable.
- Why it matters: Establishes the baseline for security deposits and sets tenant expectations for care.
Our Los Angeles Property Management Company recommends a two-step move-in: a pre-occupancy report completed by TGN Property Management and a tenant acknowledgment within the first week to catch any minor items missed on day one.
Periodic Interior Inspections: Annual Minimum, Semi-Annual When Wise
- Frequency:
- Standard: once per year.
- Elevated risk: twice per year for older or higher-wear assets, properties with prior moisture issues, or if insurance requires it.
- Scope:
- Health and safety: detectors, GFCIs, railings, trip hazards.
- Moisture checks: under sinks, around tubs, at windows, and beneath water heaters.
- Mechanical: HVAC filters, visible ducting, appliance performance, and ventilation.
- General condition: flooring, walls, doors, blinds, evidence of unauthorized pets/occupants, and housekeeping level.
- Resident experience: We schedule professionally, provide proper California notice (typically 24 hours for non-emergency entry), and keep visits concise.
As our Los Angeles Property Management Company recommends, annual interiors are the minimum; semi-annual checks add meaningful protection for vintage buildings and high-traffic rentals.
Drive-By Inspections: Eyes on the Exterior Without Intruding
- Frequency: Quarterly baseline; monthly if we’re monitoring a specific concern (overflowing trash, parking issues, exterior damage).
- What we look for:
- Landscaping, irrigation overspray, and trip hazards on walkways.
- Graffiti, vandalism, lighting outages, and gate/fence condition.
- Roofline red flags, gutters before rainy season, and visible water staining.
- Parking and common-area housekeeping.
- Approach: Non-disruptive, curbside visuals. No tenant contact unless we observe a safety issue.
Our Los Angeles Property Management Company recommends quarterly drive-bys to stay ahead of exterior wear and neighborhood changes that can impact property value.
Move-Out and Pre-Move-Out Inspections: Close the Loop
- Pre-move-out (California best practice): Offered about 14 days before lease end to identify potential security deposit deductions and allow tenants a chance to remedy.
- Move-out: On or shortly after key return, with full photo documentation.
- Focus areas:
- Excessive wear vs. normal wear and tear.
- Appliance condition and cleanliness standards.
- Wall paint, flooring damage, blinds, screens, and hardware.
- Keys, garage remotes, mailbox access, and forwarding info.
- Outcome: A clean, compliant file for deposit accounting with clear itemization.
As our Los Angeles Property Management Company recommends, the pre-move-out walkthrough dramatically reduces disputes and speeds up the turn.
Seasonal and Compliance Add-Ons for LA Rentals
- Before rainy season: Gutter checks, weatherstripping, caulk around penetrations, and drainage.
- Heat season: HVAC filter change, thermostat and condenser check.
- City habitability cycles: We prep for and attend city inspections and coordinate repairs if notices are issued.
- Fire safety: Test smoke/CO detectors and maintain adequate extinguishers in common areas where appropriate.
Our Los Angeles Property Management Company recommends pairing periodic inspections with seasonal checklists so small issues never become big ones.
How We Document: Evidence Owners Can Rely On
- Digital reports with time-stamped photos and notes.
- Severity tags to prioritize work orders.
- Owner portal access to inspection history, quotes, and invoices.
- Trend tracking to spot recurring issues by unit or building stack.
TGN Property Management’s documentation standard is designed to support insurance claims, vendor warranties, and fair, fast security-deposit processing.
Customizing Frequency to Your Property and Risk Profile
- Property age and systems: Older plumbing and roofs benefit from semi-annual interiors and more frequent drive-bys.
- Tenant profile and turnover: Long-term, stable residents might remain on annual interiors; frequent turnover justifies more oversight.
- Insurance and lender requirements: We align inspection cadence with any policy conditions.
- Past issues: Prior leaks, pest activity, or city citations warrant a tighter schedule.
As our Los Angeles Property Management Company recommends, we set your default cadence at onboarding and revisit yearly to reflect performance and goals.
Respectful, Compliant, and Resident-Friendly
- Notice and privacy: We follow California’s notice rules for non-emergency entry and schedule at reasonable times.
- Fair housing: Consistent inspection standards applied uniformly across units.
- Communication: Clear explanations to residents about purpose, timing, and what to expect.
This balanced approach protects your investment while keeping resident relations strong—key to renewals and stable NOI.
The TGN Property Management Difference
- Proactive by design: Our calendar-driven process prevents surprises.
- LA expertise: We prepare for local habitability checks and seasonal realities unique to Southern California.
- Actionable data: Photo-rich reports translate directly into prioritized maintenance.
- Owner-first alignment: You choose the cadence; we execute and report.
If you’re asking “How often should inspections happen at my rental?”, our Los Angeles Property Management Company recommends starting with annual interiors, quarterly drive-bys, and always-on move-in/move-out documentation—then dialing frequency up or down based on age, risk, and performance.Ready to put a proven inspection plan to work? Contact TGN Property Management to set your schedule, sync it with maintenance, and protect your asset year-round.