Record the appliance at entry
At move-in, photograph included appliances open and closed: oven, cooktop, rangehood, dishwasher, heater, air conditioner, washing machine, dryer, hot water unit, garage motor, and any furnished appliances. Note scratches, missing shelves, cracks, loose knobs, smells, or faults.
This helps distinguish a pre-existing issue from a breakdown during the tenancy.
Capture the fault clearly
Take a photo or short video of the error code, leak, failed ignition, unusual noise, broken seal, loose door, flickering display, or lack of response. For hot water, heating, or cooling, note when the issue started and whether it is intermittent.
Do not create unsafe demonstrations. If an appliance sparks, smells like burning, leaks near electricity, or appears dangerous, stop using it and report it promptly.
Save the repair timeline
Keep the repair request, access messages, technician attendance, and follow-up. If parts are ordered or the trade needs to return, record that. If the appliance is replaced, photograph the new appliance and note the date.
If a property manager later asks why an appliance was not cleaned, maintained, or returned in working order, your timeline helps show what happened.
Do a final appliance check before exit
Before key return, photograph clean appliances and note any unresolved faults already reported. For ovens and cooktops, include both close-up cleanliness and wide context. For remotes and manuals, place them together and photograph the handover set.
Appliance evidence is small, but replacement and cleaning claims can be expensive. A few clear photos can save a long argument.
Sources checked
Reviewed 2026-06-26 against official Australian tenancy authority guidance. This article is general information, not legal advice.