The end of a tenancy is a busy time for everyone. Tenants want their bond back. Landlords want the property ready for the next tenant as quickly as possible. Property managers need repairs done fast, documented properly and finished before the next inspection or move-in date. Somewhere in the middle are all the small repairs that pile up over a lease: holes in walls, scuffed paint, a door that will not latch, a broken blind, a torn flyscreen, mouldy silicone, a cracked tile.

We carry out end-of-lease and rental repairs for tenants, landlords and property managers across Warragul, Drouin, Trafalgar, Yarragon and the surrounding district. We work quickly, provide photos, and focus on the items that come up in condition reports and exit inspections.

For tenants

If you are moving out and want to return the property in good condition, we can repair the damage that falls outside fair wear and tear before your final inspection:

• Picture hook and anchor holes filled, sanded and painted.
• Wall scuffs and marks touched up, where the paint colour can be matched.
• Holes in plaster from door handles or accidents repaired.
• TV brackets removed and holes patched.
• Blinds and curtain fittings repaired or replaced.
• Flyscreens re-meshed where torn by pets.
• Door stops replaced and doors adjusted.
• Shelving and hooks you installed removed and holes made good.
• Cracked tiles replaced (if matching tiles are available).

It is worth talking to your property manager before arranging repairs, so you both agree on what needs to be done. Condition reports from the start of the tenancy are the reference point. We do not get involved in bond disputes, but we can provide an invoice and photos of the work done.

For landlords

Between tenancies is the ideal time to catch up on maintenance:

• Wall patching and painting touch-ups throughout.
• Door, cupboard and window repairs.
• Re-siliconing bathrooms and kitchens.
• Regrouting showers.
• Replacing worn door handles and fitting new hardware (re-keying is locksmith work).
• Replacing broken blinds, curtain rods and towel rails.
• Gutter cleaning and pressure washing outdoor areas.
• Garden tidy-ups and rubbish removal.
• Checking smoke alarms are present (testing and replacement of hard-wired alarms is electrician work, and battery alarms can be replaced by us where suitable).
• Fixing items needed to meet rental minimum standards.

A well-presented property attracts better tenants and fewer maintenance requests during the lease.

For property managers

We work with property managers and agencies across Warragul and Drouin, and understand what they need:

• Fast response for vacated properties with a tight turnaround.
• Photo reports of the work, before and after.
• Clear invoices with itemised work, addressed as instructed.
• Key collection and return from your office.
• Communication with tenants for access during a tenancy.
• Quotes for landlord approval before work starts, where required.

See our property managers page for more about how we work with agencies.

Rental minimum standards in Victoria

Victorian rental properties must meet minimum standards covering items such as locks on external doors, window coverings in bedrooms and living areas, working toilets, adequate ventilation, structural soundness and free from mould and damp caused by the building. The standards and related regulations are updated from time to time, so landlords and agents should check the current Consumer Affairs Victoria guidance. We can help with many of the handyman items:

• Fitting deadlocks and window locks.
• Installing blinds and curtain rods.
• Fixing windows so they open and close.
• Treating mould and improving ventilation where possible, with electricians for exhaust fans.
• Repairing structural items such as loose steps, balustrades and decking.

Common end-of-lease jobs

Walls

Holes from picture hooks, wall anchors, TV brackets and door handles are the most common items. Small holes are filled and sanded; larger holes need plaster patches. For painted walls, we paint over repairs, ideally with the original paint, which landlords should keep labelled. See plaster and wall patching and painting touch-ups.

Doors

Damaged hollow-core doors, broken handles, missing door stops and doors that will not latch. See door repairs.

Kitchens and bathrooms

Broken cupboard hinges, failed drawer runners, mouldy silicone, cracked tiles and loose towel rails. See kitchen cupboard repairs, silicone and caulking and tiling and regrouting.

Windows and screens

Torn flyscreens, broken blinds and window catches. See window and flyscreen repairs.

Outside

Gutters, overgrown garden edges, rubbish left behind, loose fence palings and gates. See gutter cleaning, fence repairs and odd jobs and rubbish removal.

Fair wear and tear

Fair wear and tear is the natural deterioration of a property through normal use, such as faded paint, worn carpet in walkways and minor scuffs. Tenants are generally not responsible for this. Damage beyond fair wear and tear, such as holes in walls, broken fittings and burn marks, may be the tenant’s responsibility. Where the line falls is a matter for the tenant, landlord and agent, and in disputes, for the relevant tribunal. We simply do the repairs we are asked to do.

A typical end-of-lease job

Here is a common example. A property manager in Warragul has a three-bedroom house vacated on a Friday, with new tenants moving in the following week. The exit inspection lists: picture hook holes in the living room and bedrooms, a hole behind the laundry door, a broken blind in bedroom two, a torn flyscreen, a kitchen drawer runner broken, mouldy shower silicone and a loose towel rail.

Access and planning

We collect keys from the agency and confirm the list. The landlord has left labelled paint tins in the garage.

Repairs

Holes are filled and sanded, the laundry hole is patched and a door stop fitted. The blind is replaced with a matching size. The flyscreen is re-meshed. The drawer runner is replaced. Shower silicone is removed and replaced. The towel rail is re-fixed into a stud. On the second visit, the patched areas are painted with the original paint.

Report

The property manager receives before and after photos for each item and an itemised invoice. Keys are returned to the office.

Tips for landlords

• Keep labelled tins of all paint colours used in the property.
• Keep spare tiles from any tiling work.
• Do a maintenance round between tenancies rather than waiting for problems.
• Respond to maintenance requests promptly; small problems become expensive if left.
• Use quality fittings in rentals; cheap fittings break and generate more call-outs.

Getting a quote

Send the condition report or list of items, photos where possible, and the property address. Let us know the deadline, such as an inspection date or move-in date. We will reply with a written scope and free quote. We do not publish prices online.

Areas

End-of-lease and rental repairs in Warragul, Drouin, Trafalgar, Yarragon, Nilma, Darnum, Rokeby, Buln Buln, Neerim South and Longwarry. See our service areas and all services.

The local rental market

Warragul and Drouin have grown quickly, with many new homes in estates bought as investments and leased to families relocating from Melbourne, workers in local health and education, and people commuting on the Gippsland line. Turnover between tenancies is often short, and agencies need reliable trades who can turn properties around quickly. Older rentals in Trafalgar, Yarragon and the smaller towns often need more maintenance between tenancies, especially to doors, windows, silicone and painted surfaces.

Mid-tenancy repairs

Repairs during a tenancy require arranging access with the tenant, usually through the property manager. We give tenants clear arrival times, work tidily around their belongings and pets, and keep the visit as short as possible. Urgent repairs, such as a broken external door lock or a dangerous step, are prioritised.

Before and after photos

Photos are an important part of rental repairs. For each item, we photograph the problem before starting and the finished repair afterwards, from the same angle where possible. Photos are labelled by room and sent with the invoice. Property managers can attach them to the property file and use them to show landlords what was done and why. Tenants who arrange their own repairs can show the photos to their property manager before the final inspection.

Working to deadlines

End-of-lease work is always time-sensitive. Tell us the key dates up front: when the property is vacated, when the exit inspection is booked, and when the next tenants move in. We will plan the work around those dates and let you know straight away if any item needs longer, such as a door that has to be ordered or a tile that cannot be matched. Where filler or paint needs drying time, we plan two short visits rather than rushing a single one.

What we do not do

Some items that appear on condition reports need other trades:

• Carpet cleaning and professional cleaning.
• Pest control.
• Electrical work, including hard-wired smoke alarms, power points and lights.
• Plumbing, including leaking taps, toilets and hot water.
• Re-keying locks.
• Asbestos removal (some older rentals contain asbestos sheeting, and we do not cut or drill it).

We can tell you which items need another trade, so the property manager can arrange them alongside our work.

Painting a whole room

Sometimes touch-ups are not enough. If walls have been repainted several times with mismatched paint, or have heavy marking, it can be better to repaint a full wall or room so the finish is even. We will tell you honestly if touch-ups will show, and quote for a full wall where that is the better result.

Garden and outdoor items

Leases often require tenants to leave gardens in reasonable condition. We can mow, edge, trim back overgrowth, clear weeds from paths, clean gutters and remove green waste. Pressure washing paths and patios can also make a big difference to how a property presents for the next tenant or for marketing photos.

Frequently asked questions