Which approach is right for your agency or rental providers?

Option 1: Do-It-Yourself

Pros:

• Lower cost — no external provider required.

Cons:

• Time investment — inspections are time-consuming, especially across large portfolios.
• Reporting burden — proving compliance requires clear, well-documented reports.
• Expertise gap — knowing what to look for is critical, particularly for electrical safety or structural soundness.
• Specialist tools — categories such as mould and dampness require equipment like moisture meters for accurate assessment.

Verdict: It might look like a budget-friendly solution, but the time involved and risk of overlooking key issues can make it a false economy. In the end, the responsibility—and any legal consequences—fall on the Property Manager or Owner who conducts the inspection.

Option 2: Property Manager via App

Pros:

• Reduced cost — generally cheaper than in-person inspections.

Cons:

• Time cost — travel and on-site inspections still take up valuable work hours.
• Knowledge limitations — even with app guidance, expertise is required to identify non-compliance.
• Equipment access — property managers may lack tools needed for accurate assessments.
• Reliability — reports depend entirely on the property manager’s observations and photos.
• Implications of non-compliance — whilst a provider might provide a guarantee of paying a fine if an area is non-compliant, this may not exclude you from further legal action.

Verdict: Although appealing from a cost perspective, the significant time investment and likelihood of oversight can render this approach inefficient. The Property Manager retains full responsibility for compliance outcomes, including any legal ramifications.

Option 3: Engage an External Provider

Pros:

• Time savings — property managers approve the job and await results.
• Trained technicians — experienced professionals know exactly what to look for under each category. For example, at Taskforce, our technicians receive training to properly assess every standard.
• Specialist equipment — professional providers use the right tools for accurate testing. Our Taskforce technicians use specialist equipment such as moisture meters and carry drills to secure blind cords as needed.
• Fast reporting — full compliance reports, including photos, delivered within 24 hours.
• Training for your team - some providers will offer training in RMS to your team, so you can better understand the legal requirements, and more confidently report the results of RMS inspections back to your owners.

Cons:

• Higher cost — external inspections cost more, and inclusions can vary between providers.

Verdict: Engaging a professional provider offers the best balance of accuracy, efficiency, and risk mitigation. It ensures RRPs meet all obligations and demonstrates a clear duty of care to tenants.

4 Things to Look For When Choosing a Provider

1. Qualified and insured tradespeople trained across all RMS categories
2. Comprehensive reporting with photos and clear compliance summaries
3. Specialist equipment to assess water pressure, dampness, and blind cord safety
4. Capacity to complete inspections quickly and at scale
5. Training for your team so they can confidently report findings to owners

Talk to Taskforce

Get in touch with us to book an RMS training session for your team or learn more about how we can support your rent roll compliance.