HOW IMPORTANT IS THE ENTRY CONDITION REPORT?

Completing a thorough entry condition report may seem like a tedious task, particularly when you are in the middle of moving.  However, this document is one of the most important documents in your tenancy.

The Entry Condition Report is the basis of the condition of the property when you move in and the document that is referred to at the end of your tenancy.

In some offices, the Property Manager that completed the entry report may not be the one completing the exit report.  Therefore, it is important to have a thorough entry report with photographic evidence should there be any issues at vacate.

1. 1. On move in day, your Property Manager will provide you with their copy of the Entry Condition Report. Ideally, the Entry Condition Report would have photos attached to the report to refer to.

1. 2. Now it is your turn to assess the property and ensure that the comments made by the Property Manager are accurate. If there are any comments to add to your section of the report, you will need to provide evidence of this with photos.

Things to remember when completing the Entry Condition Report

• • There are very strict time frames when completing your entry report. RTA has advised that tenants must return the report within 3 days, not 3 working days, therefore if you move into a property on the Friday then the Entry Condition Report must be returned on Monday.

• • We recommend completing the report before moving any furniture or items into the property as boxes or other items may limit your view of the carpet or walls.

• • Keep your comments short and to the point but precise. Stating “mark on the wall” is not sufficient. However, “black mark on west wall 160 cm high” is more detailed and less likely to be disputed.  In addition, remember to attach photos for further visual record and clarification of your comments.

• • Another common area of dispute is the word “dirty”. If an item is dirty – you need to be more specific. It is dusty? Is it easily wiped off? Is it staining? These are all valid questions that a property manager will ask if an entry report has the word dirty used.

If the property has been professionally cleaned, the Property Manager or Landlord will want the cleaning issues rectified, meaning the Entry Condition Report will need to be negotiated.

If you have issues with your Entry Condition Report the best course of action is to discuss your concerns with your property manager.