What Landlords Must Check Before Leasing Out Residential Properties
- Elevated Magazines

- Aug 7
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 10

Introduction
Leasing a residential property involves not only deciding on a tenant and receiving the rent. To landlords in Australia, especially in the competitive ones, it is important to make sure that the property is safe, hygienic, and structurally sound before leasing of the property starts. Failure to perform important inspections may cause tenant claims, emergency repair expenses, or even lawsuits. Early solutions to problems develop a sense of trust between the tenants and the owner, minimise repairs in the future, and prevent violations of rental laws.
Rodent Activity Can Disrupt Tenancies
Why Rodents Are a Risk to Your Rental
Rodents are of grave danger to the rental property because they chew up the wiring, insulation, and structure made of wood, causing expensive repairs and dangerous fires. They usually live in the roof areas, wall cavities, and under the flooring and go undiscovered until the infestation aggravates. They leave droppings and urine on surfaces, which poses a health hazard to the tenants. When not addressed, rodent presence might lead to complaints, violation of tenancy agreements, and even early termination of rental agreements, which is not only a threat to the reputation of the landlord but also their rental income.
Pre-Lease Pest Control Is a Must
It is always recommended to have a professional inspection by an expert rodent pest control service before renting. Pest control experts are able to inspect the roof spaces, walls, and subfloor to determine any evidence of nesting, faeces, or damaged wiring. They eliminate infestations through targeted treatment and prevent re-entry. Not only does this make living on the premises clean and safe, but it also shows that the property is well-maintained and hygienic to the tenants.
Leaky Taps and Faulty Pipes Lead to Complaints
Common Plumbing Issues Tenants Report
The most common complaints made by tenants include faulty tap water, choked drainage, poor water flow, and running water. Such issues, although they may initially be very minor but can turn to frustration when such problems are not addressed immediately, resulting in numerous remedial calls. Mould, water damage, and higher levels of utility bills may also happen due to undetected leaks. The pre-tenancy service tackles such issues in advance to prevent the depreciation of tenant satisfaction, emergency call-outs, and preservation of the property in terms of overall value.
Get a Plumbing Check Before Leasing
Prior to renting out your property, you ought to book a plumbing inspection to pinpoint any latent flaws. Finding a plumber near me will guarantee that you get a certified local contractor who can check the water pressure, identify the leaking pipes, and ensure that all fixtures run efficiently. Such a forward move avoids the possibility of future complaints, the risk of water damage, and presents to the tenants that the property is well maintained. A plumbing check would help save time, money, and inconvenience when the tenancy is underway.
Safety and Structural Issues Require a Proper Sign-Off
The Risks of Overlooking Structural Defects
Ignoring structural flaws in leasing a property may subject landlords to some of the worst legal and financial threats they can encounter. Problems like unstable stairs, cracks in the walls, railings, or failing balconies are not seen with the naked eye, yet can result in injury to tenants and insurance claims. Neglect of this may lead to disputes over a lease or repairs forced by tenancy legislation. It assists in ensuring the safety of the tenants and a secure long-term investment property by detecting and fixing the defect when it is still early.
Schedule Professional Pest Control Services
Before handing over your property to tenants, it’s essential to arrange pest control services from trained professionals. Expert pest teams will inspect all areas, roof spaces, walls, subfloors, detecting evidence of rodents, termites, or other pests that could result in costly complaints or damage. Early pest prevention sends a clear message to tenants about the property’s cleanliness and helps you avoid emergency callouts or tenancy disputes down the track. By prioritizing pest control services, landlords protect their investment, minimize future repair costs, and foster a safe, hygienic rental environment.
Conclusion
Getting a lease without carrying out the necessary checks is a gamble. Whether it is pests that lurk under floorboards or issues that cannot be easily seen, like plumbing leaks or structural defects, most problems are quite minor, and when left undiagnosed, can become very costly before too long. This is the reason why every landlord needs to undergo a proper process of pre-lease inspection.
Hiring professionals with years of experience in rodent pest control, plumbing, and building inspections makes you feel at ease that your property is safe, compliant, and ready to accommodate new tenants. It assists in decreasing vacancy periods, supporting the retention of leaseholders, and providing easy investment protection in the long term. Before you hand over the keys, take the time to get these essentials checked—you’ll save yourself time, money, and unnecessary stress.
Need help getting your property lease-ready?
Speak with trusted local experts in rodent pest control, plumbing, and building inspection near me today. Taking action now can help you avoid costly issues later and ensure a smooth, complaint-free tenancy from day one.
