Cyclical Inspections Underway for Residential Properties

by James Lynch

The Lexington Assessor's Office will begin completing cyclical inspections this week. These inspections are required, by the State, to happen at least once every ten years. The inspections will be completed by either a member of Town Staff or an outside contractor brought in to assist with the process. Every inspector will each carry a Town ID badge.

What does the inspection process look like?

Inspectors will knock on your door to identify themselves. If you are home, the inspector will ask you if they can perform a walkthrough of the exterior of your home, as well as the interior. You are not required to allow them inside. The exterior inspection verifies the size and condition of your home. The interior inspection helps accomplish the same verification to ensure the home is valued appropriately. The data collected during the interior inspection, which includes the current number of bedrooms and bathrooms, is also shared publicly to allow for accurate real estate records. Again, you are not required to let the inspector inside your home, however, if they cannot complete a walkthrough of the interior, they will need to estimate the current number of rooms and the condition of the home based on previous records, which could impact the overall value of the home if major changes have been made.

What if I'm not home?

If you are not home when the inspector arrives at your property, they will complete the exterior inspection and leave behind a yellow card. If you receive one of these cards, you can call to set up an appointment for the inspector to return. You cannot schedule your inspection ahead of time for any other reason.