How to get your house ready to rent

Key Takeaways:

• Getting a house ready to rent in WA requires meeting strict legal and safety standards, including compliant RCDs, smoke alarms and secure locks.
• Proper cleaning, repairs and presentation help attract higher-quality tenants and reduce issues during the tenancy.
• Setting the right rental price using current market data can minimise vacancy and maximise long-term returns.
• A detailed Property Condition Report protects your investment and helps prevent bond disputes at the end of the lease.

Renting out your property is a smart move, but it’s not as simple as listing it online and waiting for applications to roll in. Getting a house ready to rent in WA means making sure it’s legally compliant, safe, well-presented, and priced correctly from the start.

Here’s what every landlord should have sorted before handing over the keys.

1. Understand WA’s legal and safety requirements

Before you advertise your property, compliance needs to be sorted. In Western Australia, these are not “nice to have” items. These are legal requirements, and your property must meet them before a tenancy begins.

Here’s what must be in place:

• At least two compliant and operational RCDs (Residual Current Devices) installed to protect against electrical shock.
• Hard-wired, mains-powered smoke alarms less than 10 years old and compliant with WA regulations.
• A working light at the main entrance.
• External doors fitted with compliant deadlocks and windows that can be securely locked.
• Blind cords or chains secured safely to prevent risk to children.
• Compliant pool fencing and barriers if the property has a pool.

Getting these sorted before listing protects you from fines, insurance complications, and unnecessary delays. It’s the baseline for getting a house ready to rent properly in WA.

2. Complete essential repairs and maintenance

Once compliance is covered, it’s time to look at the overall condition of the property. Tenants will notice the small things, and small issues have a habit of becoming expensive problems if they’re ignored.

Before listing, walk through the home as if you were seeing it for the first time and fix anything that looks tired, damaged or unfinished.

Focus on:

• Leaking taps or running toilets
• Cracked tiles or damaged doors
• Chipped paint and marked walls
• Loose handles, hinges or fittings
• Mould in bathrooms or around windows
• Appliances that need servicing or replacing
• Overgrown gardens, blocked gutters or messy outdoor areas

When a home feels well-maintained, it attracts tenants who treat it the same way.

3. Deep clean and set the standard

A proper cleaning before your first tenant moves in sets the benchmark for how the property should be returned at the end of the lease.

This is where a few people cut corners, and it often comes back to bite them during the final inspection.

Before advertising, make sure you’ve covered:

• Professional carpet cleaning, especially if they’re not brand new
• Oven and rangehood degreasing
• Windows cleaned inside and out
• Walls, skirting boards and light fittings wiped down
• Bathrooms scrubbed, including grout and shower screens
• Outdoor areas swept and tidy

Starting with a high standard makes bond discussions far simpler down the track. If it’s spotless at the beginning and documented properly, expectations are clear for everyone.

4. Presentation that attracts quality tenants

Once everything is compliant, repaired and clean, it’s time to think about how the property feels.

Presentation plays a big role in the type of tenant you attract. Well-presented homes tend to draw applicants who value cleanliness and care. Poorly presented homes often attract the opposite.

We recommend keeping it simple and neutral:

• Remove personal items and excess furniture
• Stick to neutral tones where possible
• Open blinds and curtains to maximise natural light
• Replace old globes so rooms feel bright, not dull
• Tidy gardens and boost street appeal

5. Set the right rent from day one

Pricing your property correctly is one of the most important parts of getting a house ready to rent, and it’s where many landlords second-guess themselves.

The right rent isn’t based on what you hope to achieve. It’s based on current market data, comparable properties, suburb demand and tenant behaviour. Even small pricing differences can impact enquiry levels and time on market.

This is where having local insight makes a real difference. At Semple, we look at live rental data across Perth’s southern suburbs, recent leasing results, enquiry levels and time-on-market trends. That gives us a clear picture of what tenants are paying right now.

When the pricing strategy is backed by data, you’re far more likely to secure a strong tenant quickly and minimise vacancy.

6. Prepare a detailed Property Condition Report

A thorough Property Condition Report, often referred to as a PCR, is one of the most important documents in the entire tenancy process.

In WA, a condition report must be completed at the start of the lease. It records the exact state of the property before the tenant moves in. This includes written notes and detailed photos covering walls, floors, appliances, outdoor areas and any existing marks or wear.

The more detailed the report, the better protected you are.

A clear, well-documented PCR helps:

• Prevent disputes at the end of the tenancy
• Clarify what fair wear and tear is versus damage
• Support any bond claims if needed
• Set clear expectations from day one

When managed properly, it makes the vacate process far smoother and reduces the likelihood of costly disagreements later on.

7. Consider professional property management

You can manage a rental property yourself, but it’s important to understand what’s involved before deciding.

Beyond advertising and signing a lease, there’s compliance monitoring, tenant screening, routine inspections, maintenance coordination, rent collection and ongoing communication. Legislation also changes, and staying up to date is part of protecting your investment.

This is where working with an experienced property management team can make a real difference.

At Semple Property Group, we manage a boutique portfolio across Perth’s southern suburbs, so your property receives genuine attention and consistent oversight. We take care of compliance checks, detailed condition reports, careful tenant screening and maintenance coordination with trusted local trades.

You’re kept informed at every stage. With proactive management, clear communication and a strong focus on detail, we work to reduce risk, minimise vacancy and keep your tenancy running smoothly.

For many landlords, it’s simply about having experienced support in place and knowing everything is being handled properly.

Ready to rent without the headache?

Getting a house ready to rent isn’t complicated when you know what to look for, but it does require the right preparation. Compliance, presentation, pricing and documentation all play a part in setting your tenancy up for success.

If you’re leasing out a home in Perth’s southern suburbs and want things handled properly from the start, we’re here to help. Our team manages rental properties across the area every day, so we know what tenants expect and what protects landlords long-term.

Have a look at how we approach property management in Perth at Semple, or get in touch for a chat about your rental plans.

Frequently asked questions

What do I legally need before renting out my house in WA?

Before leasing your property in Western Australia, you must ensure it meets safety and compliance requirements. This includes working RCDs, compliant hard-wired smoke alarms, secure locks on doors and windows, a working light at the main entrance, and compliant pool fencing if applicable. A detailed Property Condition Report must also be completed at the start of the tenancy.

Do I need to professionally clean my property before renting it out?

While not every item must be professionally cleaned by law, the property should be handed over in a clean and well-maintained condition. Many landlords choose professional carpet cleaning and a thorough deep clean to set a clear standard for the tenancy and reduce disputes at vacate time.

How do I decide what rent to charge for my property?

The right rental price is based on current market conditions, comparable properties in your suburb, demand levels and recent leasing results. Reviewing up-to-date rental data across Perth’s southern suburbs can help ensure your property is competitively priced and does not sit vacant longer than necessary.

What is a Property Condition Report, and why is it important?

A Property Condition Report documents the exact state of the property at the start of the tenancy, including written notes and photos. It protects landlords by clearly outlining existing wear and tear and supporting any bond claims if damage occurs during the lease.

Should I use a property manager or manage the rental myself?

Managing a rental property involves compliance checks, tenant screening, inspections, maintenance coordination and staying across legislative changes. Many landlords choose professional property management in Perth to ensure everything is handled correctly and to reduce stress throughout the tenancy.