How to Prepare for a Rental Inspection in Melbourne

Routine inspections are a fact of life for Melbourne renters. Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, landlords can inspect the property up to four times per year with at least 7 days written notice. While inspections shouldn't be stressful, a bit of preparation goes a long way toward keeping your property manager happy and your tenancy secure.

What Agents Look For

Agents are primarily checking that the property is being maintained in a reasonable condition, not that it's show-home perfect. They look for:

• Cleanliness — not spotless, but reasonably clean. Kitchen, bathroom, and floors are the focus areas
• Damage beyond fair wear and tear — holes in walls, stained carpets, broken fixtures, damaged blinds
• Maintenance issues — things the landlord needs to fix like leaking taps, broken locks, or mould. Report these before the inspection so you're on record
• Smoke alarm compliance — working smoke alarms are a legal requirement
• Unapproved modifications — additional locks, wall mounts, or garden changes that weren't approved
• Pest evidence — signs of cockroach, ant, or rodent activity

Room by Room Checklist

Kitchen

• Clean oven, cooktop, and rangehood. A professional oven clean before an inspection makes a strong impression
• Wipe down benchtops, splashbacks, and appliances
• Clean the sink and remove any limescale from taps
• Empty and wipe down the bin area

Bathroom

• Scrub the shower, bath, and toilet
• Check for mould in grout lines, shower corners, and around silicone. Address mould early — see our mould removal guide
• Clean mirrors and glass
• Ensure the exhaust fan is working and clean

Living Areas and Bedrooms

• Vacuum carpets and mop hard floors
• Dust surfaces, skirting boards, and light fittings
• Ensure all light bulbs are working
• Open curtains and blinds to show the property in good light. Clean blinds and curtains if visibly dusty

Outdoor Areas

• Mow lawn and trim edges if gardening is your responsibility
• Clear paths, balconies, and entertaining areas of clutter
• Ensure drains and gutters are clear

What to Do If You Get a Bad Report

If the agent issues a breach notice for property condition, you typically have 14 days to remedy the issue. If you disagree with the assessment, you can dispute it through Consumer Affairs Victoria or VCAT. Taking photos after every inspection provides evidence of the property's condition.

Professional Pre-Inspection Clean

If time is tight, a professional house clean before an inspection ensures everything is covered. Our cleaners know exactly what agents look for and focus on the areas that matter most. Prices start from $150 for a 2 bedroom property.

Need a pre-inspection clean? We service Richmond, Fitzroy, Carlton, Brunswick, and all Melbourne suburbs. Book online or call 1300 556 513.