Property Inspection Red Flags: From Dampness to Silent Leaks Explained

Finding a clean, well maintained, and livable rental home in Brisbane is crucial to your family’s health and hygiene. Living in an inhabitable space not only ruins the entire rental experience but also poses serious safety risks. Therefore, it is good to conduct a thorough property inspection to address any hidden red flags before signing a lease agreement.

There is no denying that the Brisbane rental market is witnessing a rising demand and tightening vacancy rates, encouraging landlords to meet the minimum housing standards when preparing a rental property for new occupants.

Being a potential tenant, it is your responsibility to check every nook and cranny before moving in. Fret not! We bring you property inspection red flags, from damp walls to leaky faucets that often go unnoticed. These could become the biggest headaches during your lease period. So, fill out the initial condition report and pay your bond only if the property is in top notch state i.e clean, secure and germ free. Seasoned bond cleaning Brisbane experts also refer to the initial condition report before sprucing up your rental home, before the final rental inspection.

Let’s Get Started!

1. Hidden Signs of Dampness

When inspecting a rental house, look for flaking and bubbling paint on walls, salt tide marks on skirting boards and a consistent musty odour in ground floor rooms. These are the signs of rising damp in a property.

Overlooked dampness due to water leakage can rot timber, causing damage to the plaster. What begins as a small patch can spread instantly if left untreated. Tenants often face dampness issues during their tenancy and end up losing their bond.

Tip: If you have a doubt, hire an inspector to monitor moisture levels at suspected spots. Landlords will treat or install damp proof layer to prevent damage due to dampness.

2. Silent Plumbing Issues: Clogged Drains to Leaks

Most people focus on cleanliness and forget to check taps, showers, drains, and sinks. Rust stains on skirting boards, bathroom fixtures and fittings and persistent drips under radiator valves can cause a serious plumbing issue later on.

Water leakage can damage floorboards while increasing your utility bills. Make sure you check all taps, map out visible pipework and check drains to ensure they are clean and free from dirt. Landlords can clean the property between tenants by hiring experts for a quality bond cleaning Brisbane and impress the new tenant.

3. Roof and Gutter Faults

Make sure you check for:

• Overflowing gutters
• Cracked lead flashings around the rangehood
• Moss around tile edges

Believe it or not! Clogged gutters overflow, dumping dirty water into walls. This causes moss and a slippery screen over the tiles and floors. If required, use telescopic cameras and drones to check for blockages. Landlords are obligated to fix the clogged gutters and roofs before renting a property.

4. Poorly Sealed Windows and Doors

Drafty windows and doors allow cold air to seep indoors, causing insulation issues. Worn out seals or gaps when doors and windows are closed not only increase your indoor temperature in winter but also drive up your electricity bills. This also leads to dirt and grime accumulation.

That’s one of the main reasons why tenants prefer professionals for a guaranteed bond cleaning Brisbane when moving out of a tenancy. To check drafty windows, test the seals with smoke pencils. Many landlords in Brisbane often install double glazing windows for maximum protection.

5. Mould and Mildew in Dark and Damp Areas

This is one of the crucial property inspection red flags that often go unnoticed. Dark flecks, black/grey/white/green patches indicate mould infestation. The musty smell around damp areas like bathroom tiles, curtains, basement walls and ceilings is also a red flag.

Mould stains not only wreak havoc on the property structure but also pose serious health threats to tenants, related to respiratory issues. When inspecting a property, check the dark and damp areas around the property, check moisture levels, assess ventilation and detect mould spores instantly.

Read this guide on preventing mould in rentals like a pro.

6. Cracks on Walls and Window Corners

Many people overlook hairline fractures above window corners or walls, stair step cracks on exterior walls, and diagonal slips.  While some cracks are normal, you can’t overlook these patterns. Structural shifts can lead to costly renovation or rebuilding work.

So, avoid moving into a property if you find these red flags on a rental property. If you end up signing an agreement, click photos as evidence if the landlord rejects your bond at the end of tenancy.

7. Cracks on Floors

Look for red signals like gaps between floorboards, noticeable slopes  and loud creaks underfoot. Uneven floor joints can cause moisture buildup, which can damage your floors if left untreated.

Fixing these issues can help landlords to find potential tenants easily. However, it is a tenant’s responsibility to handover the property in its original condition. It is good to leave this task to professional bond cleaners in Brisbane to prevent bond deductions at the end of a tenancy. They use less water when washing floors and other surfaces.

Infographic On Property Inspection Warning Signs To Watch For

Wrapping Up

These are some of the most common red flags to consider when inspecting a property before moving in. This cautious approach can help you choose a clean, livable and well maintained indoor space for a better rental experience.