Pre-rental condition reports in the Garden Route
Before a new tenant moves in, House Truth walks through the property room by room and records its general condition with photos. When the tenant leaves, we do the same again and compare the two reports. We work for landlords, letting agents and tenants in the Garden Route.
What we record
- Floors, carpets and tiles
- Walls and paint
- Ceilings
- Doors and locks
- Windows
- Cupboards
- The kitchen
- The bathrooms
- The laundry
- The garage
- Outside and the garden
- What stays in the house: the stove, extractor, geyser, alarm, gate motor and so on, present or missing
Each item is marked Good, Fair, Damaged or Missing.
Anything that must be repaired is also ticked Maintenance, with a photo.
What you get
- The condition report. Every room and area, item by item, with photos.
- The Maintenance list. What is broken and what needs fixing before the new tenant moves in, for the agent or landlord.
- Meter readings and key count. Both are recorded on the day.
- Signatures. The landlord or agent and the tenant sign the report.
Appliances tried on the day
This is different from our buying inspection. For a rental report we try the appliances that stay, by switching them on:
- The hob and the oven
- The extractor
- Geyser hot water
- Gate motor and remote
- The alarm
- Aircon
- Ceiling fans
- Light switches and plug points
Each one is marked working or not working. If we could not try it, it is marked Not tested, with the reason, for example geyser switched off or no gas cylinder.
When the tenant moves out
When the tenant leaves, we do a move-out inspection the same way and compare it with the move-in report, so damage can be told apart from normal wear. We record the condition with photos. We do not decide who pays.
What this is, and what it is not
- A rental report does not cover the roof, sewer, structure, cracks or foundation. Those belong to the buying inspection that a buyer asks for.
- The report records what we saw and tried on the day. It is not a test by an electrician or a gas installer, and it is not a certificate.
- Things that are hidden or covered up cannot be seen.
- We list what needs fixing. We do not quote for repairs and we do not tell you who to hire.
Where we work
We work in George, Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn, and the areas around them.
The furthest we go is Wilderness on one side, and Gouritz and Albertinia on the other.
We cannot take bookings outside this area.
Read more about George, Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn.
Buying a new build? See snag list inspections.
Questions and answers
What is a pre-rental condition report?
It is a record of the condition of a property before a new tenant moves in. We walk through room by room and record what we see with photos, and the agent gets a Maintenance list of what needs fixing.
Do you switch on the appliances?
Yes, for a rental report. The hob, oven, extractor, geyser hot water, gate motor and remote, alarm, aircon, ceiling fans, light switches and plug points are tried on the day. This is different from our buying inspection, where we do not test appliances. It is not a test by an electrician or a gas installer, and not a certificate.
What if an appliance cannot be tried?
We mark it Not tested and write down the reason, for example geyser switched off or no gas cylinder.
What happens when the tenant moves out?
We do a move-out inspection the same way and compare it with the move-in report, so damage can be told apart from normal wear. We do not decide who pays.
Does the report cover the roof or the structure?
No. A rental report does not cover the roof, sewer, structure, cracks or foundation. Those belong to the buying inspection that a buyer asks for.
How do I book?
Send us an email with the property address, the town and the date you need, or call us.
How to book
Email us with the property address, the town and the date you need. Or call us on 078 625 2645.
Read the Privacy policy and the Terms and disclaimer before you book.