What would happen to your home inspection business if your target market grew overnight? Usually, certified home inspectors aim all of their marketing attention toward home buyers. Buyers are ready to take on an enormous debt. They need to know what’s up before they reach the closing table.
But everyone lives somewhere. Defects that put the resident’s health and safety at risk can exist in a rental unit as easily as any other home.
If you broaden your horizons to include renters, they will win and so will you. You’ll gain the potential for more work. They’ll gain a little more peace of mind about the place they call home even if their name isn’t on the deed.
Here’s what you need to know.
You’ll Need the Landlord’s Permission
If your client is a potential renter, you’ll need the landlord’s approval to enter the property. As either the property owner or the owner’s agent, landlords have the right to deny access. They probably know that refusing could result in the loss of a renter, but they might be comfortable holding out for someone who isn’t as concerned about defects before they rent.
If the renter is already a resident, the renter can grant physical access to the property but you might still need the landlord’s permission. Rental home inspections aren’t as rare as they used to be, so more owners expect them. According to CTHomes, landlords might deny access if rental inspections aren’t common in that market.
You Could Be Asked to Testify in Court
This isn’t as scary as it sounds. As a certified home inspector, you’re always at risk of being called to court as an expert witness or to affirm that your report is accurate. If home buyers sue the seller after moving in, their lawyer might need your word in person or by deposition to support their client’s claims. The defendant’s lawyer might also call you as a witness if they believe the plaintiff’s claims are false or exaggerated.
Renters could also end up in court one day. If your report notes defects that threaten their health and safety, they might want to break their lease or ask the court’s help in forcing the landlord to make important repairs.
A lawyer can give you the facts about potential liability issues and property access laws.
You Will Probably Want a Lawyer’s Advice
Talk with a real estate attorney in your area before you take on new customers. Every jurisdiction is slightly different from the next, so the laws about who can and cannot grant access will probably vary. You might also want advice from your liability and E&O insurance providers in case you need additional coverage.
You’ll always need the landlord’s permission if your customer hasn’t yet signed a lease. If your customer already lives there, the legal issues around who can and cannot grant access might fall into a gray area or one where rock-solid laws or policies haven’t yet been developed.
It Is Your Job to Educate Potential Renters and Landlords
If home inspections for renters aren’t common where you work, you’ll need to carve out some time for market development. Educating renters and landlords about the ins and outs of rental property inspections helps ease concerns and point out the pros of always getting an inspection.
This is a golden opportunity for you to become a leader in your market. Research can give you lots of material for developing blog posts and other content that supports home inspections for renters.
- What kind of rental unit problems, such as mold or roof damage, are common in your area?
- How often do renters find themselves stuck in a lease with a dangerous or unhealthy home?
- What legal issues do renters encounter if they try to break a lease when dangerous or unhealthy defects are present?
- How much more might the average renter spend on utilities in a home with an outdated heating and cooling system?
You can also help out landlords.
- What’s the average cost of a landlord/tenant lawsuit?
- How much value is added to rental property when a landlord invests in repairs and upgrades?
- What might a landlord save in repairs by tackling a defect sooner instead of later?
Those are just jumping-off points. You’ll probably find many other avenues for content development and marketing outreach.
Just because a resident doesn’t own a house, condo, or apartment doesn’t mean their health and safety are any less important. Home inspections for renters might be a fledgling market, but it’s also ripe with potential.
Growing your business takes dedication as well as creativity. For every niche that you find, you gain another edge. Even the home inspection reporting app that you use can make a difference. If you’re not satisfied with the reporting software you’ve got or you’re ready to shift from paper to digital, Report Form Pro has the answer. Download the home inspection app for your Android or get it for your iPhone today.