What an Entry Condition Report Is
An entry condition report documents the state of a rental property at the beginning of a tenancy. It records the condition of every room, every fixture, and every piece of equipment in the property at the point the tenant moves in. In Queensland, it must be completed before or when the tenant is given the keys.
Both the landlord and tenant sign the report. The tenant has three days after moving in to note any disagreements or additions. Once the process is complete, the signed document becomes the baseline against which the property's condition will be compared at the end of the tenancy.
Why Thoroughness Matters
A vague entry condition report is almost no protection at all. If the document notes 'walls good condition' rather than specifying the actual state of each wall with photographic evidence, any dispute about damage at exit becomes a credibility contest between the landlord and the tenant with no objective record to resolve it.
A thorough entry condition report is specific, comprehensive, and well-photographed. It notes existing scuffs, marks, and wear in detail. It records the condition of garden areas, external structures, and any items included with the property. The photographs must be dated and clearly linked to the written descriptions.
What Happens Without a Proper One
Without a solid entry condition report, claims against a bond at the end of a tenancy are difficult to sustain. The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal takes the position that damage cannot be attributed to a tenant unless the condition at the start of the tenancy can be established.
A well-managed property should have a complete, photographed, signed entry condition report filed for every tenancy. At The Rental Managers, this is a non-negotiable part of the leasing process. If you are not sure whether your current entry condition report would hold up, it is worth a review before the next lease end.
