A walk-through for property managers of apartment buildings: common areas, exterior, systems and safety.
Regular inspections find leaks, broken lights and blocked exits before residents complain or someone is hurt.
Unit inspections require proper notice to tenants under local rules. This list covers common areas and the exterior.
15 items. Use it on screen, or print it and fill it in by hand.
During the monthly walk, a property manager finds two stairwell lights out and a loose handrail on the third floor. Both become work orders; the maintenance technician fixes them the next day and closes the orders.
Landlords have a duty under state housing codes to keep common areas safe and in repair, and a dated walk record shows they were checking. It also helps if a resident claims an injury, since the record shows when a hazard was found and fixed.
| Building | Willow Court Apartments, 24 units, Spokane WA |
|---|---|
| Walk date and manager | Sat, Aug 2, Kevin |
| Exterior | Gutter over building B entry overflowing |
| Common areas | 2nd floor stairwell light out; laundry dryer 3 not heating |
| Safety | Fire panel normal; extinguisher on 3rd floor tagged current |
| Mechanical room | Door unlocked; lock replaced same day |
| Work orders | 3 opened; residents emailed about dryer |
The unlocked mechanical room was fixed on the spot because it was a safety risk, while the others went to work orders. Residents were told about the broken dryer so they do not keep feeding it coins.
Monthly for common areas.
With notice under local rules.
Maintenance staff or contractors.
Share planned works.
Many property managers walk common areas monthly and do a more thorough exterior and systems check quarterly or twice a year. Stairwells, laundry rooms and entry doors get the most wear and the most complaints. Local housing codes may also require certain checks, such as smoke alarm testing.
Most states allow a landlord to enter for inspections or repairs with reasonable notice, often 24 to 48 hours, unless there is an emergency. The exact rules come from state law and the lease. Common area inspections do not need tenant notice, but it is good practice to tell residents when work will follow.
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