The days between one tenant leaving and the next moving in are the best chance to catch up on maintenance. The property is empty, access is easy and small problems can be fixed before they become maintenance requests. This checklist covers the handyman items to look at.

Walls and ceilings

• Patch holes from hooks, nails and anchors
• Repair dents and door-handle holes, and fit door stops
• Fill cornice and joint cracks
• Touch up or repaint marked walls
• Check ceilings in bathrooms and laundries for mould

Doors and hardware

• Check every door opens, closes and latches
• Tighten or replace loose handles and hinges
• Repair or replace damaged hollow-core doors
• Check sliding robe doors run on their tracks
• Check external doors lock properly, as required by Victoria’s rental minimum standards

Wet areas

• Replace mouldy or peeling silicone around showers, baths, vanities and kitchen benches
• Regrout cracked grout
• Tighten or replace towel rails, toilet roll holders and robe hooks
• Check exhaust fans run (repairs by an electrician)

Kitchen

• Adjust or replace cupboard hinges
• Repair drawer runners and refit kickboards
• Check for swollen board around the sink

Windows and screens

• Check windows open, close and latch
• Rescreen torn flyscreens and repair screen doors
• Check blinds and curtains work, and secure blind cords with cord guides
• Window coverings are required in bedrooms and living areas under the minimum standards

Outdoors

• Refix loose fence palings and adjust gates
• Clear gutters and downpipes
• Pressure wash paths if they are slippery or stained
• Check clotheslines, letterboxes and house numbers

Safety

• Check smoke alarms (hard-wired alarms and compliance checks by a licensed provider)
• Anchor any landlord-supplied tall furniture
• Check stair rails and balustrades are secure

Minimum standards

Victoria’s rental minimum standards cover items such as locks, window coverings, ventilation, mould and damp, kitchens, toilets, bathrooms, heating and electrical safety. Some are handyman items; others need licensed trades. Consumer Affairs Victoria publishes the current standards, and landlords should check them directly.

Photos and records

Take dated photos before and after repairs. They help with condition reports and any disputes about bond claims.

Plan the order

Do repairs first, then painting, then cleaning, so dust and marks are cleaned up at the end. Allow drying time for patches, paint and silicone.

How we can help

We do end-of-lease and between-tenancy repairs across Berwick and the surrounding suburbs, with photos for your records. See end-of-lease and rental repairs, our property managers page, or get a free quote.