Entry and exit inspections
LANDLORDS and tenants should always engage in thorough inspection of the condition and contents of the premises at the beginning of a rental agreement and at the end of the contractual period.
The Consumer Council of Fiji says that the condition of the property and any pre-existing defects must be recorded during the ‘entry inspection’ to determine the landlord’s responsibility in resolving outstanding issues that would affect the tenant.
“The landlord is not required to fix each and every defect on the demand of the tenant. Items that are not material need only be noted so that the tenant is not held responsible for these at the end of the tenancy period,” the council says.
“Typically, these items will not affect the tenant’s beneficial occupation of the property or the purpose for which the property has been let.”
Once the tenancy period ends and the tenant decides to move out, an ‘exit inspection’ must be done to determine if any damages have been done to the premises,” the council says.
The Council adds that the entry and exist inspection should be documented on the same copy for easy comparison and the tenant hand over the property in an ‘acceptable condition’ in the way it had been initially received.
“Any repairs to damage caused by the tenant needs be rectified before the lease expires and the tenant vacates the premises.
“Failure to do this will result in the landlord using the tenant’s deposit (bond) to rectify the damage.”
“It is imperative that both the entry and exit inspections be carried out jointly by the landlord and the tenant to avoid any disagreements on the condition of the property.”