In order to claim rental expenses, your rental property MUST be either rented or available to be rented.

Expenses for which you may be entitled to an immediate deduction in the income year you incur the expense include:

• advertising for tenants
• bank charges
• body corporate fees and charges
• cleaning
• council rates
• electricity and gas
• gardening and lawn mowing
• in-house audio/video service charges
• insurance including building, contents & public liability
• interest on loans
• land tax
• lease document expenses e.g. preparation, registration & stamp duty
• legal expenses (excluding acquisition costs and borrowing costs)
• mortgage discharge expenses
• pest control
• property agent's fees and commission
• quantity surveyor's fees
• repairs and maintenance
• secretarial and bookkeeping fees
• security patrol fees
• servicing costs - for example, servicing a water heater
• stationery and postage
• telephone calls and rental
• tax-related expenses
• travel and car expenses including rent collection, inspection of property & maintenance of property
• water charges

You can claim a deduction for these expenses only if you actually incur them and they are not paid by the tenant.

Disclaimer: This is not advice. Items herein are general comments only and do not constitute or convey advice per se. The information contained in this article is for guidance only and should not be relied upon without obtaining professional advice having regard to your specific circumstances.