What tenants really want you to notice during an inspection
At the end of the day, tenants want to feel heard. Paying attention to the right things builds trust, keeps tenants longer, and helps you catch problems before they become costly.
The 3 things tenants care most about
1. Water-related issues
- Leaks under sinks, dripping taps, poor water pressure, or bad sealing in bathrooms
- Mould from poor ventilation or dampness in kitchens and bathrooms
- Example: one tenant flagged mould forming near a shower. It was a small fix at the time, but left unchecked it could have caused expensive damage and health risks.
2. Sleep and comfort disruptors
- Noisy heat pumps, rattling windows, flickering lights, or banging doors
- Drafty rooms that are difficult to heat or cool
- Example: a humming water heater directly behind a bedroom wall drove one tenant crazy. You wouldn’t notice during the day, but for them it meant sleepless nights.
3. Entry, exit, and security concerns
- Jammed windows, doors that don’t lock properly, or gates that don’t latch
- Outdoor lighting that no longer works
- Example: one tenant showed an inspector a back door “secured” with a plank of wood nailed across it — not just inconvenient, but a safety risk in an emergency.
What tenants usually don’t care about
- Cosmetic scuffs
- Minor wear and tear
- Slightly uneven paint jobs
Most tenants don’t expect a showroom finish. They just want their home to feel safe, clean, and comfortable.
How to spot what really matters
- Slow down - don’t rush the inspection
- Ask open-ended questions - “Is there anything that’s been bothering you?”
- Listen carefully - if a tenant points something out, it’s usually been an issue for a while
- Example: one tenant had no complaints at all until the smoke alarm started chirping every night at 2am. They weren’t being dramatic — they just wanted to sleep.
Tips for better communication
- Give tenants notice ahead of time about the inspection and what it includes
- Ask if there’s anything specific they’d like you to look at
- If they’re home, do a quick walk-through at the end to debrief
- Document everything clearly so tenants know their concerns are recorded. Tools like myInspections make this easy by combining photos, notes, and reports into one professional record you can share with both tenants and landlords.
The information contained in this article is exclusively for promotional purposes. It does not in any way constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as the basis for any legal action or contractual dealings. The information is not and does not attempt to be, a comprehensive account of the relevant law. If you require legal advice, you should seek independent legal counsel. myInspections does not accept any liability that may arise from the use of this information.
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