Multi-Unit & Investor
Property Inspections.
Duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and rental portfolios. Every unit and every shared system inspected, written up so you can price repairs and plan your rental license.
What's included
- Every unit: kitchen, baths, electrical, plumbing fixtures, HVAC, water heater, windows and doors
- Shared systems: roof, structure, foundation, exterior, common stairs and hallways
- Separate meters, panels and heating systems per unit, where present
- Fire separation between units, smoke and CO alarms, and exits — the items rental inspectors check first
- Basement and attic units: egress windows, ceiling height and signs of unpermitted conversion
- One report organized unit by unit, so repair costs are easy to price
Why it matters
With a small multifamily property, you are buying the rent roll as much as the building, and every repair comes out of your return. Units are often occupied, finished on a budget and altered over the years, so problems hide in plain sight. We inspect each unit and every shared system, flag what a rental-license inspector is likely to cite, and write the report so you can turn it into a repair budget. Buying more than four units, or mixed-use? See our commercial inspections.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between this and a commercial inspection?
Buildings with two to four units are residential and get this inspection. Five or more units, or mixed-use buildings, fall under our commercial inspections, which follow the framework of the ASTM E2018 Property Condition Assessment standard.
Do you inspect every unit?
Yes — that’s the point. The seller or property manager needs to arrange access and give tenants notice. If a unit can’t be entered, we note it in the report so you can decide how to handle it.
Can you tell me if a basement apartment is legal?
We can flag the visible red flags — no egress window, low ceilings, no separate exit, no permits in sight — but whether a unit is legal is the jurisdiction’s call. Check with the county or city before you count that rent.
Can you help with Maryland rental licensing?
Yes. Our rental inspection provides the certification Baltimore City and Baltimore County require from a Maryland-licensed home inspector, and works as a pre-license readiness check elsewhere. We can do both on the same visit.
I’m buying several properties. Can you handle a portfolio?
Yes. We can schedule several properties back to back and keep every report in the same format, so you can compare them side by side.
Where we do the most of these
Related services
Ready to book?
It takes 60 seconds.
Most Polaris inspections book within 2–3 business days.