Save the notice
Keep the inspection notice, email, SMS, or portal message. Note the date given, proposed entry time, reason for entry, and any time window. Entry rules vary by state, and the notice can matter if the time, frequency, or purpose is later disputed.
Queensland's RTA says the property manager or owner must give correct notice for valid reasons, and for general inspections must specify a time or two-hour window. Other states have their own entry rules, so check your local authority if the timing feels wrong.
Photograph relevant issues before the inspection
You do not need to create a full exit report for every routine inspection. Focus on changes since entry: leaks, mould, cracks, appliance faults, loose fittings, storm damage, pest activity, safety concerns, or repairs you have already requested.
If the agent sees the issue during inspection, your record shows that it existed before their visit. If they miss it, your follow-up can still include dated evidence.
Write down what was discussed
After the inspection, send a short message if anything important was discussed: "Thanks for attending today. As discussed, the laundry tap is still leaking and the bedroom blind chain is broken." This turns a hallway conversation into a record.
Keep the tone practical. You are creating a timeline, not a transcript.
Update your maintenance log
A maintenance log should show when you noticed an issue, when you reported it, what evidence you attached, when access was given, and what happened next. Routine inspections are a natural time to update it.
This becomes useful at move-out because it separates tenant-caused damage from reported maintenance, delayed repairs, or age-related wear.
Sources checked
Reviewed 2026-06-26 against official Australian tenancy authority guidance. This article is general information, not legal advice.