The importance of Entry and Exit Condition Reports
When you are moving into a new home, you are typically focussed on the move, sorting out where your furniture is going and just wanting to settle in. Getting around to the Entry Condition Report can seem like an inconvenience and something that is taking up time and effort when you have other more important things to do. BUT – it is the Entry Condition Report that is probably the MOST important document that you complete as part of any Tenancy Agreement. If you don’t get this right, it could cost you considerable angst, and money, when it comes to ending the Tenancy.
The Entry Condition Report is a formal document identifying the condition of the property, it’s fixtures and fittings. It notes the condition, cleanliness of items, whether items are in good repair and in working order. It is completed by the Property Manager of your Real Estate Agency and must be provided to you before you take possession of the Property. You have a set period of time to go through this and make your own comments and notes before returning a copy to the Agency. If you fail to do this, the Agency’s original document will be deemed to be accepted.
Ideally you should take the Entry Condition Report to the property before you move in your furniture. Go from room to room noting the comments made by the Property Manager, adding any notes of your own. Pay particular attention to things like marks on walls, scratches on floor boards, cracks in windows, missing light fittings, etc. Where possible also take photographs backing up the comments that you make. Property Managers may not always see everything depending on the time of the day that they did the inspection.
This is also an opportunity to check that everything is in working order. Turn on the oven, check that all the taps work, flush the toilet, check the power points, etc.
The Entry Condition Report is the document that will be used to determine if any of your Bond needs to be retained at the end of the Tenancy. The Property Manager uses the Entry Condition Report to compare with the Exit Condition Report that they undertake under the same criteria.
Where there is a discrepancy between the Entry and Exit Condition reports, the Agency can request compensation from the Tenant on the Owner’s behalf. If you have completed a detailed report, this can also help your Property Manager advocate on your behalf, particularly if the owner has a distorted idea about what the condition of their property was before you moved in. Fair Wear and Tear is exempted. Fair Wear and Tear is what you would expect from normal day to day living given the period of your Tenancy. It could be things like fading of the curtains, yellowing of the paint, wearing of hinges on cupboards and doors, etc.
So – time taken at the commencement of your Tenancy in getting your Entry Condition Report done well is well worth it in the long run. And if you come across something early in your Tenancy that you did not notice on your first inspection – note it down and report to the Property Manager by email. Some things are not immediately evident and may take a while to find. The aim is to be fair and reasonable to all parties and help you get your Bond back!
