ELITE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT / SUNSHINE COAST
Renting out your home for the first time.
Renting out a home for the first time brings a few questions: what could it rent for, what needs doing and who will look after it? This guide takes you through the work in order, whether you’ve bought an investment, are moving out or want help with a property you’ve been managing yourself.
Start with when you’d like to rent it out and what needs preparing. We can help you work through the rest.
01 / YOUR STARTING POINT
A first rental can begin in different ways.
Choose the situation that feels closest. The practical first steps are similar, but your timing and priorities may differ.
JUST PURCHASED
A new investment
Tell us your settlement date and when you can access the property. We’ll discuss the likely rent and the time needed to get it ready.
MOVING OUT
Your home becomes a rental
Plan the transition from living in the property to preparing it for tenants. Allow time for cleaning, repairs, records, keys and questions for your insurer or accountant.
STEPPING BACK
You have been self-managing
Think about the tasks you’d like help with, from finding tenants to handling repairs. The comparison below explains what each option involves.
02 / THE PROCESS
Your first rental property, in six clear steps.
Here’s what needs organising, from the first appraisal to handing over the keys.
01
Rental appraisal
We’ll look at comparable rentals, discuss your timing and explain what the home could rent for.
02
Prepare the home
Agree what to clean, repair or organise before photography, advertising and inspections.
03
Check requirements
Review the Queensland requirements that apply to your property, including housing standards, smoke alarms and pool safety where relevant.
04
Present and inspect
Confirm accurate listing details, inspection arrangements and how prospective tenants can ask questions.
05
Review applications
Consider applications and relevant checks. The owner remains involved in the tenant decision and the screening process must follow applicable rules.
06
Begin the tenancy
Complete the agreement, bond and entry-condition record, arrange keys, then confirm how rent, maintenance and reporting will work.
03 / QUEENSLAND LANDLORD CHECKLIST
What to check before a tenant moves in.
Requirements can depend on the property and tenancy. These regulator resources are a sound starting point; check the current guidance for your circumstances.
PROPERTY CONDITION
Minimum housing standards
Queensland rental properties must meet minimum housing standards when a tenant moves in and throughout the tenancy. Review the requirements before you prepare the home.
FIRE SAFETY
Smoke alarms
The RTA explains the smoke-alarm standards and the responsibilities of property managers, owners and tenants. Include testing and maintenance in your pre-tenancy planning.
POOL OR SPA
Pool safety
If the property has a pool or spa, check the applicable barrier, certificate and tenancy-document requirements before leasing.
TENANCY START
Bond and condition record
The RTA outlines rental-bond requirements and the entry condition report used to record the property at the start of a tenancy.
General information only. This guide is not legal, tax or insurance advice. Use current Queensland regulator guidance and seek advice for your property and circumstances.
04 / PREPARING YOUR HOME
Get the home ready for tenants.
Work through the basics before advertising. Your list will depend on the home’s condition and what’s included in the tenancy.
Presentation. Clear personal belongings, clean the home and attend to agreed repairs before photography.
Access. Gather keys, window locks, garage remotes and any access cards for the property.
Instructions. Set aside manuals and practical notes for appliances, irrigation, pool equipment or other included systems.
Records. Keep copies of invoices, warranties, approvals and information about recent work.
Insurance. Ask your insurer what cover applies when the property is rented and whether any changes are needed.
Tax. Keep income and expense records from the start and ask your accountant what applies to your situation.
05 / CHOOSE YOUR LEVEL OF SUPPORT
You can choose how hands-on to be.
You can manage the property yourself or appoint a property manager. Think about the time you have, the work involved and where you’d like help.
SELF-MANAGING
Keep the day-to-day in your hands
You coordinate advertising and enquiries, organise applications, keep tenancy records, arrange maintenance and communicate with tenants. Set aside time to understand the rules and keep each required step documented.
APPOINT A MANAGER
Agree the support in writing
You choose a licensed property manager and agree the scope, fees, communication and approval arrangements in the appointment. Ask what is included and how decisions will be brought to you.
If you’re unsure which option suits you, use the rental appraisal to ask about the work involved.
06 / IF YOU CHOOSE PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT
Know what the service includes.
Ask for the day-to-day work, reporting and charges to be clear before you appoint a manager.
TENANCY AND PROPERTY
Applications, inspections and follow-up
Tenant applications are reviewed with owner input. Routine inspections are documented with written and photographic reports.
MAINTENANCE
A documented process
TAPI is ELITE’s maintenance platform. Approval arrangements are agreed at the start of management; ask how urgent and non-urgent work is handled.
RECORDS AND ACCESS
Statements and owner portal
Owner statements include invoices, with disbursements mid-month and at month-end. REAPIT – Console Cloud is the owner portal; an end-of-financial-year summary is also provided.
07 / FEES AND INCLUSIONS
Compare the service and the written proposal.
Ask for a written proposal showing the management fee, what’s included and any separate charges. That makes it easier to compare the service.
Ask what is included, what may be charged separately and how approval works.
When you are ready, request the written proposal before deciding whether to appoint a manager.
08 / A PRACTICAL FIRST STEP
Start with the property and your timing.
Bring the address, the date you hope to rent it and the questions you would like answered. Request a rental appraisal and we’ll help you plan the next steps.
09 / COMMON QUESTIONS
First-time landlord questions.
GETTING STARTED
What should I do first when renting out my home?
Start by clarifying your intended timing, the property’s condition and an indicative rent. A rental appraisal can help you identify the practical steps before advertising.
QUEENSLAND REQUIREMENTS
What do Queensland landlords need to check?
Check minimum housing standards, smoke-alarm requirements and pool-safety rules if a pool is present. The RTA and QBCC publish current guidance for tenancy requirements.
TENANT SELECTION
Who decides which tenant is selected?
Applications and relevant checks are reviewed with the owner involved in the decision. The screening process must follow applicable tenancy, privacy and discrimination rules.
SELF-MANAGEMENT
Can I manage the property myself?
Yes. Owners can self-manage. Consider the time needed for applications, records, maintenance and tenant communication, then choose the level of support that suits you.
FEES
When will I know the management fees?
Fees, inclusions and charges are provided in writing before you appoint a property manager. Review the full proposal before making a decision.
RENTAL APPRAISAL
What information helps with a rental appraisal?
Share the address, the home’s condition and features, and when you’d like tenants to move in. These details help us choose relevant rental comparisons.
10 / EXPLORE THE NEXT STEP
More help with your rental.
Meet Brandi, read about changing managers or find resources for an existing rental.
THE PERSON
Meet Brandi Wilson
Read about Brandi and her approach to property management.
A CHANGE OF MANAGER
Switch with Brandi
Understand the handover process if you already have another manager.
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
For investors
Plan the rent, preparation and leasing for an investment property.
CURRENT ELITE OWNERS
Owner hub
Go to owner resources, statements and existing-owner requests.
PRACTICAL GUIDES
Landlord Resource Library
Browse practical resources for rental-property owners.
THE OVERVIEW
Property Management hub
Return to the main page for an overview of our property management service.