Routine Inspections: What Landlords and Tenants Can Expect

Office update, 15 October 2026. The byline records the original article; this guidance has been revised for Ray White Silverdale.

A practical check of the home and its maintenance

Routine inspections help landlords and tenants identify maintenance needs and keep a useful record of a rental home’s condition. They are an opportunity to discuss a leak, a faulty fan or another concern before it is overlooked. An inspection does not guarantee insurance cover, legal compliance, rental income or the future value of a property.

Notice, timing and privacy

For an ordinary residential tenancy, routine inspections can take place between 8am and 7pm, no more frequently than once every four weeks. Give the tenant at least 48 hours’ notice, but no more than 14 days ahead. Boarding-house rules differ. Read Tenancy Services’ inspection guidance and confirm the appropriate arrangements for the tenancy.

Discuss access, pets and any practical concerns before the visit. Respect that the property is the tenant’s home. A routine inspection notice is not permission to show buyers through or hold an open home; those activities have their own consent requirements.

What to look for and record

Focus on the condition of the property, working equipment and maintenance that needs attention. Note observable problems such as water staining, a leak or ineffective heating, and compare relevant records from earlier visits. Keep normal wear and tear distinct from a conclusion about damage or responsibility; a photograph alone does not establish who caused a fault.

Tenants can help by keeping the home reasonably clean and tidy and reporting concerns when they arise. They do not need to wait for the next inspection to report a repair. At a home managed by Ray White Silverdale, use our maintenance request route for ordinary issues and our urgent reporting information when the situation cannot wait.

Use photographs for the inspection purpose

Explain why photographs are taken and how they will be used. Collect only what is necessary to document the property’s condition; avoid people and unnecessary detail about personal possessions. Store images securely and share them only for an appropriate purpose.

Tenants can request access to photographs containing their personal information. Inspection images containing that information should not be reused for sale marketing without their consent. The Privacy Commissioner’s inspection-photography guidance explains the privacy obligations.

Follow up the findings

Record what needs assessment or repair, who will arrange it and how progress will be communicated. Persistent dampness or a reported fault needs investigation; an earlier Healthy Homes assessment does not replace ongoing attention to the property.

Landlords should check their insurer’s actual inspection and record requirements rather than assume a routine visit guarantees a claim will be covered. Ask Ray White Silverdale’s property management team about the inspection arrangements and reporting included in your management agreement. Use the form below or contact the office to discuss your rental.