Before you sign anything
1) Read the lease like you’re going to live there (because you are)
Yes, it’s boring. No, you can’t skip it.
Check:
Lease start and end dates
Rent amount and how it’s paid
Bond amount
Special terms (pets, water, gardens, break lease conditions)
Who to contact for repairs and how
If something is unclear, ask before signing. “We’ll sort it out later” is how problems are born.
2) Confirm what’s included
Ask in writing:
Is water included or charged separately?
Who pays for lawn and garden maintenance?
Are there any embedded networks (electricity, internet)?
Are there body corporate rules you need to follow?
The week before you move
3) Book the basics early
Brisbane moves tend to cluster around weekends and end of month.
Lock in:
Removalist or ute
Utility connections
Internet (it can take longer than you think)
Time off work if needed
4) Get your documents ready
You’ll want digital copies of:
Signed lease
Bond lodgement receipt details
Entry condition report (blank and then completed)
Emails or messages about any agreed fixes
If it’s not written down, it’s basically a rumour.
Moving day
5) Do a quick “does everything work” test
Before you unpack your whole life, test:
Lights and power points
Hot water
Stove and oven
Air con if provided
Smoke alarms (present and functioning)
Locks on doors and windows
If something is broken, report it immediately in writing.
The first 48 hours (this is the big one)
6) The entry condition report: do it properly
The entry condition report is your best friend if there’s ever a dispute.
Do this:
Take clear photos and videos of every room
Note existing marks, chips, stains, mould, damage
Check inside cupboards, under sinks, behind doors
Photograph meter readings if relevant
Be specific. “Wall damaged” is vague. “Scuff marks and chipped paint behind bedroom door” is useful.
7) Report maintenance issues early
If you notice:
Leaks
Mould
Faulty locks
Broken appliances
Pest issues
Report it straight away.
Not because you’re being difficult, but because early reporting prevents bigger damage and bigger arguments.
The first week
8) Learn the repair process (so you don’t get stuck)
Ask:
What counts as urgent repairs?
Who do you contact after hours?
Do you need approval before calling a tradie?
Knowing the process saves you time when something goes wrong.
9) Set up a simple “rental folder”
Create one folder in your phone or Google Drive:
Lease
Condition report
Bond confirmation
Repair requests and responses
Inspection notices
It’s boring admin. It also makes you unstoppable in a dispute.
Common Brisbane specific gotchas
10) Mould and ventilation
Brisbane humidity is a mould factory.
If you see mould on day one, document it and report it. Don’t wait until it becomes a health issue and then get blamed for it.
11) Water charges
Water charging has rules. Make sure you understand what you’re being billed for and that the property meets the requirements for water charging.
12) Noise and parking
If possible, check:
Street parking rules
Visitor parking rules (especially in complexes)
Noise levels at different times
If something feels off, trust that feeling
Good property management is simple:
Clear communication
Fast responses
Respect for tenants
Repairs handled properly
If you’re being ignored before you even move in, it usually doesn’t improve later.
How Housit fits into this (yes, tenants matter too)
Housit manages rentals across Brisbane and Queensland, and we take tenant communication seriously.
24 hour response guarantee
Clear processes for repairs and notices
No nonsense communication (you’ll know what’s happening)