If you hired a structural engineer to inspect a bridge, and they just walked across it and said, “Looks good, mate,” you would fire them. Yet, this is exactly how most property managers inspect your $1 million asset.
They walk through, check if the carpet is clean, take a photo of the oven, and send you a report saying “Tenant is keeping the place tidy.”
This is not an inspection. It is a visit.
At Venko Property, we believe that a residential tenancy is a business arrangement governed by strict legislation (The Residential Tenancies Act 1986) and even stricter insurance contracts. A “tidy house” does not mean a “compliant asset.”
The “Gradual Damage” Trap
Most landlord insurance policies in New Zealand have a specific clause regarding “Gradual Damage” (e.g., a slow leak behind a vanity). To claim this, you often need to prove that you inspected the property specifically for leaks with “reasonable diligence.”
A photo of a tidy bathroom does not prove diligence. A checklist item that says “Checked vanity plumbing for moisture readings: Pass” does.
The Venko Difference: The Risk Register
We don’t do inspections. We do Risk Audits. Every quarter, we assess your property against a live Risk Register that tracks:
- Healthy Homes Standards: Is the insulation settling? Is the heat pump filter blocked?
- Insurance Liability: Are the gutters clear? (Blocked gutters can void water damage claims).
- Safety Hazards: Loose deck railings, slippery paths, or electrical risks.
We treat your rental like a commercial site. Because when the Tribunal calls, “She’ll be right” is not a legal defense.
Download our 10-Point Auckland Rental Risk Audit Checklist to see if your property would pass a real inspection.