A Guide to Condition Reports in the ACT
Everything you need to know about Condition Reports in the ACT including the frequency and how to complete one.
A Comprehensive Guide to Condition Reports in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Condition Reports are designed to document the condition of a rental property before and after a tenancy. As a landlord or property owner, you must provide new tenants with a Condition Report at the start of their lease, and tenants must return the completed report to their landlord within seven days of moving out.
Condition Reports can be used as evidence in court if there is a dispute about damage to the property or its contents.
The standard Condition Report form is provided by the ACT Tenants Union.
For more information visit the ACT Revenue Office website.
What is the Frequency of a Condition Report in the ACT?
A Condition Report should be completed at the following times:
- Entry Report - Completed at the commencement of the tenancy, within the first 5 days.
- Routine inspections - at intervals throughout the term of tenancy (usually at least twice a year)
- Exit (outgoing) Report - At the end of the tenancy
How to Complete a Condition Report in the ACT
- Download and print the template for the ACT.
- Visit your property and fill out the report before your tenants move in. You should describe all damage, no matter how minor and take photos of the property.
- A copy of the report should then be given to the tenant.
- A copy should then be signed by the tenant, along with their comments and any supporting evidence.
- Ensure the final copy is saved by both parties and filed securely so that you can refer back to it at a later date.
Can I customise my Condition Report?
You can customise the standard form Condition Report to provide a more comprehensive account of the condition of a rental property. This is done by including additional documents, descriptions, or photographs which supplement or further describe any points not included in the standard form.
For example, if you notice that part of the premises is not included in the standard form report, you can add an additional document detailing the state of that part.
Photographs are also commonly used to document and provide visual evidence at either the beginning or end of the tenancy. This practice helps clarify any discrepancies between different parties’ accounts, provides detailed information about the property itself, and helps all parties remember what condition it was in when they first moved in or out.
These should include close-ups of any damage to highlight particular concerns as well as wide shots of each room so that all furniture and fittings can be clearly seen.
Is a Condition Report required if I renew a tenancy in the ACT?
A new Condition Report is required if you renew a tenancy in the ACT. This is a legal requirement under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (ACT), and failure to comply could carry penalties.
When signing a new tenancy agreement, you and your tenants must complete a Condition Report which sets out the condition of the property at the time of signing the agreement.
This document is important for both parties, as it will provide evidence in case of any future disputes regarding damage or wear and tear to the premises.
The report should include detailed descriptions of any existing damage or issues with the property, as well as photographs where applicable.
Use RentBetter to record the condition of your property
On RentBetter you can record the condition of your property with our digital condition report. There are two ways to complete a condition report on RentBetter - you can either complete the report yourself or book a professional to conduct the inspection for you.
All reports will be saved in your dashboard, so you can easily refer back to them or update them at the beginning, middle and end of your lease.
✅ Unique to your property
Your RentBetter condition report template can be customised so that it reflects the specific number of rooms and features in your property. Remove the hassle of trying to add extra info to a generic report.
✅ Inspect with ease
With the ability to add pictures and comments, you can thoroughly inspect all rooms of your property from your computer or mobile.
✅ Report completed
Send the completed condition report to your tenant for them to review and complete their part of the inspection if required. You can save the report and access it in future in case you need to make any changes.
