It is always a stressful time when moving in or out of the property. There are lots of things to manage so this transition can be smooth and without any stress. Our intention is to undertake a FINAL INSPECTION to prepare an EXIT CONDITION REPORT based on the ENTRY CONDITION REPORT of your rental property as soon as possible after you hand your keys in at our office.

It is better to WALK through the PROPERTY on the DAY when you are HANDING OVER the KEYS… schedule a meeting for the day with one of the Property Managers. You will need to ensure that the items on the CHECKLIST listed below have been given due attention to make it presentable:

General:

• Carpet steam cleaning to be carried out by a professional contractor - a receipt will be required Hire machines are not acceptable; Highly recommend MUST be booked for the day before you handover the key;
• Pest control for fleas is required when a dog or cat has been kept or permitted on the premises;
• Clean all windows, doors, sliding doors, window tracks, fly screens, and security screens;
• Vacuum all sliding door tracks and wipe;
• Sweep and mop all floors, removing marks;
• Clean light fittings, remove all cobwebs (remove light fittings and wipe out dead bugs);
• Clean marks off walls and light switches;
• Wipe down and remove all dust from skirting boards;
• All curtains and blinds to be taken down and cleaned;
• Window & window sills to be cleaned inside and out;
• Clean all ceiling fans (is applicable);
• Please turn off the main power switch in the electrical meter box;

Kitchen

• Inside and outside all cupboards and doors
• Inside, outside, and around the stove, grill, and oven
• Inside, outside and behind refrigerator and dishwasher
• Exhaust fans and filter
• Sink, especially drain holes
• Rangehood and filter (filter can be removed and cleaned)

Bathroom

• All floors, mirrors, windows, and window tracks
• Inside and outside all cupboards
• Toilet, bath, glass screens, and sink
• Grouting to be free of all soap, residue, and mildew
• Clean inside built-in wardrobes and mirrored doors (wipe over scuff marks)
• Clean all ceiling exhaust fans in bathrooms & toilets

Laundry Area

• Inside, outside and behind the washing machine, rinse out the filter.
• Inside, outside and behind the dryer, remove lint.
• Clean laundry tub (inside the bottom cupboard of the tub)
• Clean ceiling exhaust fans.

Alfresco or Outdoor pergola or Veranda

• Sweep and mop, clean railings, and any perplex glass.
• Remove all cobwebs.

Garage or Sheds

• Sweep out and remove any oil residue from the concrete.
• Remove all cobwebs.
• Empty any bins and remove all rubbish (put the bin out if it is full).
• Close garage door.

Front and back yards

• Lawns and gardens to be mowed, gardens weeded and left tidy.
• No rubbish is to be left on the property.

If furnished

• Make sure that all items are in original rooms as per inventory and have been cleaned.

ADDRESS UPDATE: Who needs to know about your current address?

When you move to your new home there will be a number of people and organizations you will need to notify.

The following CHECKLIST includes some of the most common; we suggest you use it as a basis for creating your own personalized list to make a smooth TRANSITION.

Personal

• Family, Friends, and Relatives
• Government Agencies (VicRoads, Taxation Office & Electoral Commission)
• Employer
• Medical (doctor, Medicare, insurance)
• School/university
• Clubs and associations
• Finance (accountants, banks, credit cards, and superannuation)
• Insurance (contents, health, building, motor vehicle, special items)
• Department stores (accounts, store cards)
• Utility Connections (Electricity, Water, Gas, and Telephone)
• News or Travel agency

The Day when you hand over the keys

• Do a final walk-through with this checklist to ensure your property is in the correct handover state to avoid any tenancy disputes with your rental bond.
• Your carpets should be professionally cleaned by today;
• External areas returned to the same condition as the beginning of the lease;
• Bins emptied or placed out on collection point securely;
• Organize your keys and remote controls for all locks are ready to be returned;

Date of disconnection:

Make sure Electric and Water connections must be scheduled for disconnection for the next day of vacation date so Estate Agent can ensure all electricity’ equipment are in working order, and you take picture of meter readings;

Mail/Letter Diversion: consider the letter and mail diversion options at the local post office or online to divert for at least 2months so you won’t miss any important communication.

Being an owner of investment property or portfolio either commercial or residential property, it is vital to appoint a pro-active & dynamic property manager who can work in your best interest to ensure you are getting an optimized level of return on your investment.

When you feel you aren’t getting the best service and the value you expect from your property manager whether you hold a single investment property or investment portfolio, switching to a new property manager is your best option.

There are many myths around property management – and with extensive experience helping Victorians with their investment properties, it feels like we’ve heard them all. One of the most common things we hear about is people feeling that they are stuck with a property manager that doesn’t suit their needs and the most common reasons are: 

• Lack of communication;
• Missing periodic rent review;
• Higher management fees,
• Regular increase of fees like management, admin, statements, EOFY or banking etc;
• Support to keep property in optimised YOY rental yield,
• Missing and reporting periodic inspections;
• Higher vacation rates.

Now, the most important question arises in mind, can you change property manager or agency during mid of lease term or at the end or any time – with the right process? 

In simple words, yes you can change the property manager at any time if you don’t feel comfortable and not getting the service as expected.

Switching property managers may seem difficult, but as Consumer Affairs Victoria notes, the process is not strenuous.

“In most cases, you can terminate your estate agent’s management of your rental property, effective immediately, by written notice to the agent,” the authority notes.

In most of case, there is no fee unless it is clearly mentioned in the agency’s agreement signed by the Property Manager & you. You can give this notice at any time – even in a fixed-term contract. Best of all, you can have a professional do this for you.

How to change property manager quickly and efficiently? Are there any fees associated with the changeover?

If you’re thinking about switching property managers, the team at Goldfish will handle the entire process free of charge (excepting fees in your existing contract). 

From organising agreements and records, regulatory compliance, and safety check, contacting tenants and agents to picking up the keys, notifying new tenants and organising inspections can be done simply, professionally, and efficiently once you appoint team Goldfish. 

Most of the time, it pays to take a step back and evaluate the quality of the property management and return of your investment which you’re getting. Try our property appraisal service & proposal to compare whether your property management arrangement is paying the return on your investment as it should be. 

If it isn’t, we’re here to offer you a proactive, innovative, technology-driven, compliant, and Guaranteed 100% better property management solution at your doorsteps…. Simply, it is 100% peace of mind and your satisfaction.

To experience the difference, contact the team at Goldfish on 03 5332 4444 or email for a confidential discussion. 

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