HOA & Rental Compliance Walkthrough

Know the rules before you walk the house

Every HOA and every landlord has its own list of requirements, from paint colors and fence heights to smoke alarms and trash storage. Start by sending the inspector your governing documents, your lease or your checklist. They compare what they see with what is written, and they separate required items from preferences. That keeps you from spending money on things that no one will ever check, and helps you focus on those that could bring a fine. If you have prior violation notices, photos from earlier inspections or architectural approvals, send those too so the inspector can compare past and present condition.

What the report covers

A good report lists each issue with a photo, the rule it relates to and a suggested fix. Typical findings include peeling paint, unapproved structures, overgrown landscaping, missing detectors, damaged fences or visible trash containers. Compliant areas are noted too, which is helpful when a dispute arises. Ask for the report in a format you can forward to an HOA board or a landlord without rewriting. Ask whether the report can be organized by room or by rule number, which makes it much easier to answer a board or landlord line by line.

Using the walkthrough for move-ins, move-outs and sales

Tenants and owners both benefit from a dated record of condition before a lease starts or ends. The walkthrough can document existing damage, protect a security deposit and give a landlord evidence of upkeep. Sellers often use it to clear HOA violations before a transfer, which prevents delays at closing. A follow-up visit after repairs confirms that each item is resolved and closes the loop on any open notices. Keep the dated report and photos in a folder, because they are the first thing you will want if a charge or a fine is ever disputed.

Plumbing Inspection

A focused, written condition report on your home's plumbing — supply lines, shutoff valves, fixt…

Electrical Inspection

A focused, written condition report on your home's electrical system — panel, breakers, GFCIs, a…

Indoor Surfaces Inspection

A room-by-room condition report on walls, ceilings, flooring, and doors/windows — cracks, water…

Roofing Inspection

A written condition report on your roof — shingles, flashing, pipe boots, and gutters checked an…

Outdoor Structures Inspection

A written condition report on decks, fences, siding, and exterior stairs — structural wear, rot,…

HVAC Inspection

A written condition report on your furnace, AC, and thermostat — checked, tested, and rated so y…

Major Appliances Inspection

A written condition report on your water heater and major kitchen & laundry appliances — checked…

Pre-Listing (Seller's) Inspection

A comprehensive, whole-home condition report before you list — every system checked so you know…

Pre-Purchase (Buyer's) Inspection

An independent, comprehensive whole-home condition report before you close — every system checke…