What Should a Landlord Inspect Between Tenants on a Home’s Exterior? | Quad Cities

What Should a Landlord Inspect Between Tenants on a Home’s Exterior?

The time between tenants is a chance to catch exterior problems while the home is empty. Walk the entire property, take dated photos, and operate every accessible door and window. On a Quad Cities rental, a small leak or loose component can be easier to address now than after the next tenant moves in.

Start at the Roofline, Gutters, and Downspouts

From the ground, look for visible roof damage, loose fascia, sagging gutters, disconnected downspouts, and debris blocking water flow. Check where each downspout ends: water should move away from the house rather than collect against the foundation. If a recent storm or heavy rain exposed overflow, photograph the area and arrange a closer inspection. The U.S. Department of Energy explains how gutters and downspouts help direct roof runoff away from a building. For failed or undersized systems, review Suburban Construction's seamless gutter options.

Walk Every Siding Wall

Look for missing or cracked panels, loose trim, gaps at corners, impact damage, and staining below windows or rooflines. Pay attention to areas where the wall meets a deck, porch, utility penetration, or another roof. A damaged panel may be a simple repair; repeated staining or soft material can signal a problem behind the visible siding. Building Science Education notes that the drainage layer behind exterior cladding helps carry water out of the wall. If replacement is needed, compare siding options after the wall's condition has been assessed.

Open, Close, and Lock Every Window

Check each accessible window for cracked glass, damaged screens, missing hardware, difficult operation, and locks that do not engage. Look for water staining around the interior trim and exterior opening, along with fogging between glass panes. Do not mistake ordinary moisture on the room-side glass for a failed insulated glass seal. Suburban Construction's maintenance guidance identifies cracked glass and condensation between panes as issues to report. If staining appears around an opening, have the source checked: proper window flashing directs water away from the wall cavity. Review replacement windows when repair is no longer sensible.

Test Entry and Patio Doors

Operate the front, rear, garage-entry, and patio doors. Confirm that each closes, latches, locks, and opens smoothly. Inspect the threshold, weatherstripping, frame, glass, and surrounding trim for wear or water damage. A draft may call for an adjustment or new weatherstripping; a deteriorated frame or persistent leak needs a closer look. The Department of Energy describes caulking and weatherstripping as ways to address some air leaks around doors and windows. Suburban Construction can help compare entry door options when replacement is warranted.

Check the Ground-Level Details

Walk the entry path and look for loose steps, unstable handrails, uneven walking surfaces, and exterior lights that do not work. Check for soil or mulch built up against siding and water pooling near the foundation. Look up for branches close to the roof or windows. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety recommends clearing gutters, sealing exterior gaps, and trimming vulnerable branches as storm-preparation measures. Refer work outside your own maintenance scope to the appropriate trade.

Record What You Find Before the Next Move-In

Take photos of each side of the home and close-ups of any problem areas. Keep a short list separating immediate repairs from work that can be planned later. After repairs, save the scope, product information, and completion photos with the property's records. That gives you a useful baseline for the next turnover and helps you distinguish an old issue from new damage.

Suburban Construction works with property owners in Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline, Rock Island, and surrounding communities on windows, siding, doors, and gutters. If your walkthrough reveals an exterior problem, request an estimate and share your photos so we can discuss the right next step.

References

1. U.S. Department of Energy, Building Science Education: Stormwater Gutters and Downspouts.
2. U.S. Department of Energy, Building Science Education: Drainage Plane Behind Exterior Wall Cladding.
3. U.S. Department of Energy, Building Science Education: Window Flashing.
4. U.S. Department of Energy: Renters.
5. Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety: Thunderstorm Ready Guidance.
6. Suburban Construction: Recommended Maintenance.