Can a landlord inspect an apartment every month?

Common areas, yes. Occupied units monthly is usually too often unless there is a specific reason, and each entry needs the notice your state requires.

How much notice does a landlord need to inspect?

It depends on the state. Florida requires at least 24 hours for repairs and inspections, and Washington requires at least two days' written notice.

Can a tenant refuse an inspection?

In Florida and Washington, a tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry given with proper notice for a permitted purpose. Rules vary, so check your state.

How Often Should Landlords Inspect Units?

Most apartment owners inspect each occupied unit once a year, plus a move-in and move-out inspection, and walk common areas every month. An annual visit catches slow leaks, dead alarms and lease problems while they are still cheap. Give the entry notice your state requires, such as 24 hours in Florida or two days in Washington, and use the same checklist every time.

A schedule that works

Inspection	How often	Purpose
Move-in	Every new lease	Record condition, with photos, for the deposit
Annual unit inspection	Once a year per unit	Find leaks, safety issues and damage early
Common areas and exterior	Monthly	Lights, doors, stairs, trash, roof drains
Vacant units	Weekly	Leaks, temperature, security
Move-out	Every move-out	Compare to move-in for deposit decisions

More than once a year in an occupied unit starts to feel intrusive and can raise complaints, unless something specific calls for it, such as a known leak or a pest treatment follow-up. Less than once a year means a slow drip under a sink can run for many months. For move-ins, see our move-in checklist.

Entry notice, by state

Every state has its own entry rule. Two examples:

Florida: at least 24 hours' notice, and entry for repairs between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Inspecting the premises is a permitted purpose, and the tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent (Fla. Stat. 83.53).
Washington: at least two days' written notice to enter for inspections and repairs, one day to show the unit, and only at reasonable times. The landlord may enter without consent in an emergency or abandonment (RCW 59.18.150).

Check your own state and lease. A simple habit that works everywhere: send written notice a week ahead with a time window, then a reminder the day before.

The annual inspection checklist

Safety

Test every smoke and carbon monoxide alarm. The U.S. Fire Administration says to test smoke alarms monthly and replace them 10 years from the manufacture date (USFA). Note each alarm's date. Our alarm rules post covers state requirements.
Check the fire extinguisher, if you supply one, for its gauge and tag.
Look at the electrical panel cover, outlets near water and any extension cords running under rugs.

Water

Under every sink: drips, stains, soft cabinet floors.
Toilets: running, rocking, or stains at the base.
Tub and shower: caulk and grout gaps.
Water heater: rust at the base, a working relief valve line.
Ceilings and walls: stains or mold. The EPA advises keeping humidity below 60 percent (EPA).

Systems and appliances

Heating and cooling: filters, thermostat, radiator valves.
Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans actually pull air.
Each appliance you supply: works, door seals, no error codes.

Doors, windows and the lease

Locks, window latches, screens and weather stripping.
Signs of an unlisted occupant or unapproved pet, noted factually.
Damage beyond normal wear, with photos.

After the walk

Open a work order for every item, sorted by urgency.
Send the tenant a short note: what you found, what will be fixed and when.
Bill only for tenant-caused damage, with photos.
Store the report and photos with the unit's record.
Add anything big, such as a tired roof drain or an aging water heater, to next year's capital budget.

Example a made-up 16 unit building does its annual inspections over two Saturdays. Findings: 3 alarms past 10 years ($35 each), 4 running toilets ($15 flapper each), 2 under-sink drips ($140 plumber visit each) and one bath fan that does not pull air ($120). Total: $105 + $60 + $280 + $120 = $565. Each drip left for a year could have become a subfloor repair costing more than the whole day.

Running inspections with DoorKeeping

DoorKeeping's rent roll gives your AI app the list of every unit and who lives there, which is the starting point for an inspection schedule, and each repair's cost goes to that property's own books. You can email tenants an entry notice from DoorKeeping, and it waits for your approval before it goes out. DoorKeeping does not give legal advice, so confirm your state's entry notice rules.

Sources

Florida Statutes 83.53, Landlord's access to dwelling unit, read Oct 29, 2026
Revised Code of Washington 59.18.150, Landlord's access, read Oct 29, 2026
U.S. Fire Administration, Smoke alarms, read Oct 29, 2026
EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home, read Oct 29, 2026

Questions

Can a landlord inspect an apartment every month?: Common areas, yes. Occupied units monthly is usually too often unless there is a specific reason, and each entry needs the notice your state requires.
How much notice does a landlord need to inspect?: It depends on the state. Florida requires at least 24 hours for repairs and inspections, and Washington requires at least two days' written notice.
Can a tenant refuse an inspection?: In Florida and Washington, a tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry given with proper notice for a permitted purpose. Rules vary, so check your state.