Attendance at the Inspection

It is important for both you and the landlord to attend both inspections of the premises, before and after the tenancy.

For a landlord, it will be important to know what the condition of the property was at the beginning of the tenancy and at the end, so that he or she can establish if the tenant caused any damage.

For you as tenant, it is important to make sure that any damage or deficiencies are properly recorded, particularly if a security deposit has been required. Your landlord can make deductions from a security deposit at the end of the tenancy for damage to the premises beyond normal wear and tear. You will want to be sure that any damage that already existed at the start of the tenancy is recorded, so that you are not charged for it at the end of the tenancy. It can be a good idea to take pictures of the premises in case of a later disagreement.

If a tenant abandons the premises, the landlord should still try to contact the tenant and arrange an inspection. There should be a record of contact attempts.

May 2005