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The document that could save your bond

There’s a lot to do when you move into a new rental property, but if there’s one task that shouldn’t be overlooked it’s assessing and completing the Entry Condition Report.

This vital piece of paperwork details the condition of the property when you move in, including any existing damage or items that aren’t working.

It’s a document that could literally save your bond at the end of the rental agreement, and here’s why…

What is an Entry Condition Report?

At the start of every rental agreement, the property manager is required to provide an Entry Condition Report for the property.

This can either be in physical or digital form and it details every part of the property along with the condition of each area of the home.

How to use it

The form is initially completed by the property manager who provides their evaluation of the condition of each area, and there’s then a section for the renter to add their assessment and any relevant comments.

For example, in the bedroom the property manager might assess the following:

Cupboards

  • Double cupboard with glass doors
  • Clean, working, minor scuff marks on the shelves.

Lights and fans

  • One hanging pendant light, standard four-blade fan
  • Clean, working

Walls 

  • Clean, scuff free

Flooring

  • Cream carpet
  • Clean, good condition, existing mark on carpet near entryway

When they take possession of the rental property, the resident would assess the bedroom and either agree to the property manager’s comments or add their own evaluation as there might be something the property manager has missed.

In addition, the renter should take pictures of each area of the home to either include when they return the Entry Condition Report or for future reference.

On that note, the Entry Condition Report generally needs to be completed by the rental occupier, signed and returned to the property manager within 14 days of the commencement of the rental agreement.

Why it matters

The Entry Condition Report is the document that helps determine the return of your bond in full.

When the renter exits the property, they should refer to this document and return the property to the same condition it was in when the Entry Condition Report was signed, barring any fair wear and tear.

Should there be any conjecture about damage that might have occurred to the property during the renter’s time living there, the Entry Condition Report helps determine whether it was pre-existing.

Too often, renters fail to return this document at the start of an agreement or don’t give it the time and energy it deserved when filling the report in.

But it’s a document that could literally save your bond by avoiding any unnecessary confusion about the pre-existing condition of the property.

How we can help

Our experienced property managers pride themselves on establishing great relationships with both rental occupiers and owners.

We manage every property as if it were our own and you can learn more about our property management services here.

Alternatively, if you are looking to rent a property, you can view the properties we currently have available here.