ConditionHQConditionHQ
Author

David Yu

Founder & CEO, ConditionHQ

David Yu is the founder of ConditionHQ. He started the company after seeing how much time Australian property managers lose to condition reports — and how easily bond disputes go sideways without solid evidence. David spends his time interviewing property managers across all 8 Australian states, reviewing tenancy legislation as it changes, and building software that gives smaller agencies the same advantages the big players have.

Australian residential tenancy lawProperty condition reportsEntry and exit inspectionsBond dispute evidenceProperty management softwarePropTech in Australia

Articles by David

47 articles

Compliance13 min read

QLD Condition Report Requirements: Property Manager Compliance Guide (2026)

A property manager's guide to QLD condition report requirements under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008. Covers Form 1a, Form 14a, 7-day tenant return window, 2025 regulation update, QCAT evidence standards, and how QLD differs from NSW and VIC.

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Compliance13 min read

VCAT Bond Dispute Guide for Victorian Property Managers (2026)

Step-by-step guide for Victorian property managers navigating a bond dispute through RDRV and VCAT. Covers the 14-day contest window, the myRDRV process, VCAT escalation, the October 2026 evidence requirements under the Consumer Legislation Amendment Act 2025, and how to build a defensible claim.

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Compliance12 min read

SACAT Bond Dispute Guide for South Australian Property Managers (2026)

Step-by-step guide for SA property managers navigating a bond dispute from the CBS counter-offer process through to SACAT. Covers the RBO claim process, the 7-counter-offer mechanism, evidence requirements, the conference stage, and SA's bond cap rules under the Residential Tenancies Act 1995.

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Compliance13 min read

NCAT Bond Dispute Guide for NSW Property Managers (2026)

Step-by-step guide for NSW property managers navigating a bond dispute through NCAT. Covers the 14-day deadline, the 7-day evidence obligation under Section 165 RTA 2010, the July 2025 mandatory survey, and how to build a winning evidence bundle.

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Compliance12 min read

QCAT Bond Dispute Guide for Queensland Property Managers (2026)

Step-by-step guide for Queensland property managers navigating a bond dispute from RTA conciliation through to QCAT. Covers the 7-day deadline, Form 2, evidence packaging, hearing format, and the October 2025 evidence rule changes.

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Guide12 min read

How to Claim Bond at End of Tenancy: A Property Manager's State-by-State Guide (2026)

How to submit a bond claim as a property manager in every Australian state — NSW Rental Bonds Online, QLD RTA Web Services, VIC RTBA Online, WA's new BondsOnline, SA Residential Bonds Online, TAS MyBond, ACT Revenue Office, and NT's unique trust account system. Timeframes, portals, dispute paths.

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Compliance12 min read

Victoria's New Bond Evidence Requirements: What Property Managers Must Do Before October 2026

The Consumer Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (VIC) requires property managers to give renters documentary bond claim evidence before lodging a claim — commencing no later than 13 October 2026. The evidence must not conflict with the condition report. What you need to do now.

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Guide12 min read

End of Lease Inspection Australia: A Property Manager's Practical Guide (2026)

Step-by-step guide for Australian property managers to conduct a legally defensible end of lease inspection — covering state-by-state exit condition report requirements, inspection process, documentation, and bond claims.

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Compliance9 min read

Rental Inspection Frequency in Australia: How Often Can a Landlord Inspect? (All 8 States, 2026)

Maximum routine inspection frequency for every Australian state and territory, with notice periods and legislation references. NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, ACT, TAS, NT — updated 2026.

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Compliance12 min read

Smoke Alarm Compliance for Australian Rental Properties: Property Manager's Guide (2026)

State-by-state smoke alarm obligations for Australian property managers: QLD's 2027 deadline, NSW annual testing rules, VIC's landlord obligations, WA hardwired requirements, and how to document compliance in entry and exit condition reports.

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Guide13 min read

Routine Inspection Checklist for Australian Property Managers (2026)

A practical room-by-room routine inspection checklist for Australian property managers. What to check, what to document, how to report findings to landlords, and how routine inspections support bond claims.

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Compliance10 min read

NT Condition Report Requirements: A Property Manager's Guide (2026)

What the Residential Tenancies Act 1999 (NT) requires for condition reports — entry, exit, the 5-business-day modification window, Commissioner of Tenancies, bond rules, and NTCAT disputes. Written for Darwin and Territory property managers.

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Compliance12 min read

Tasmania Condition Report Requirements: Property Manager Compliance Guide (2026)

A property manager's guide to Tasmania condition report requirements under the Residential Tenancy Act 1997. Covers Section 26 obligations, the 2-day tenant return window, the Rental Deposit Authority bond process, and how to document evidence for the Residential Tenancy Commissioner.

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Compliance11 min read

Queensland Exit Condition Report (Form 14a): Complete Guide for Property Managers

How Queensland's exit condition report (Form 14a) works: who completes it, the 3-business-day response rule, what to inspect, and the 14-day bond evidence requirement.

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Compliance11 min read

Victoria Condition Report Requirements: A Property Manager's Compliance Guide (2026)

Complete guide to VIC condition report obligations under Section 35 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997. Covers Form 4, the 5-business-day rule, Section 35A VCAT challenges, exit reports, and bond claims.

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Compliance9 min read

ACT Condition Report Requirements: A Property Manager's Guide (2026)

What the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (ACT) requires for condition reports — entry, exit, notice periods, bond lodgement, and ACAT disputes. Written for Canberra property managers.

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Compliance13 min read

NSW Condition Report Requirements: Property Manager Compliance Guide (2026)

A property manager's guide to NSW condition report requirements under the Residential Tenancies Act 2010. Covers the Schedule 2 prescribed form, 7-day tenant return window, Bond Online timelines, NCAT evidence standards, and how NSW differs from QLD, VIC, WA, and SA.

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Compliance11 min read

Routine Inspection Notice Requirements Australia: State-by-State Guide (2026)

How much notice must a landlord or property manager give before a routine inspection in Australia? All 8 states covered — notice periods, frequency limits, valid delivery methods, and what to do when a tenant refuses.

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Guide12 min read

Inspection Management Software for Australian Property Managers (2026 Buyer's Guide)

What inspection management software actually does, what to look for, and how it compares to general property management tools. Built for Australian PMs.

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Compliance13 min read

Mould in Rental Properties: Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities in Australia (2026)

Landlord vs tenant responsibility for mould in Australian rental properties. Covers state-by-state minimum standards, how to document mould in condition reports, and how mould disputes are resolved at bond time.

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Guide12 min read

How to Write a Condition Assessment Report (Step-by-Step Guide for Property Managers)

A step-by-step guide for Australian property managers on writing thorough, tribunal-ready condition assessment reports. Covers preparation, room-by-room methodology, description standards, photography, and common pitfalls.

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Tips11 min read

What to Look for in a Condition Report: The Complete PM Checklist (Room by Room)

A room-by-room checklist of everything Australian property managers should inspect and document in a condition report. Covers kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, outdoor areas, utilities, and the items most commonly missed.

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Compliance13 min read

WA Rental Bond & Condition Report Rules: What Property Managers Need to Know (2026)

A property manager's guide to Western Australia's condition report requirements and bond dispute process under the Residential Tenancies Act 1987. Covers the Property Condition Report form, the Bond Administrator, timelines, Magistrates Court disputes, and recent law changes.

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Compliance12 min read

SA Rental Condition Report Requirements: Property Manager Compliance Guide (2026)

A property manager's guide to South Australia's condition report requirements under the Residential Tenancies Act 1995. Covers what the report must include, timelines, bond lodgement with CBS, SACAT dispute resolution, and how SA differs from other states.

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Guide13 min read

How to Photograph Rental Property Damage for Bond Evidence (A Property Manager's Guide)

A practical guide for Australian property managers on photographing rental property damage that holds up as bond evidence at tribunal. Covers camera settings, lighting, angles, timestamps, metadata, the wide-then-close technique, and common mistakes.

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Guide12 min read

Property Management Handover Checklist: How to Take Over a Portfolio Without Losing Bond Claims

A practical checklist for Australian property managers taking over a portfolio from another PM or agency. Covers condition report audits, missing documentation, lease and bond verification, key management, and how to protect yourself when inheriting properties with incomplete records.

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Guide14 min read

Fair Wear and Tear vs Damage: An Australian Property Manager's Guide

A practical guide for Australian property managers on distinguishing fair wear and tear from tenant damage. Includes 20+ specific examples, state-by-state legal definitions, how tenancy length affects assessments, grey areas tribunals disagree on, and how to document the difference in condition reports.

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Tips10 min read

How to Handle a Tenant Who Refuses to Sign the Condition Report

What to do when a tenant refuses to sign the condition report in Australia. Covers whether signing is legally required in each state, why tenants refuse, how unsigned reports hold up at tribunal, and how to protect yourself with documentation.

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Guide15 min read

RTA Form 1a Explained: QLD Entry Condition Report Complete Guide

Everything property managers and tenants need to know about QLD's prescribed entry condition report Form 1a. Section-by-section walkthrough, common mistakes, bond evidence connection, and digital alternatives under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008.

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Tips16 min read

What Happens If There's No Entry Condition Report?

What happens when there is no entry condition report at the end of a tenancy? Learn the legal consequences in every Australian state, how it affects bond disputes, who bears the burden of proof, and what property managers can do to protect themselves going forward.

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Software Review11 min read

Inspection Manager vs ConditionHQ: Which Condition Report Tool Fits Your Agency? (2026)

A detailed comparison of Inspection Manager and ConditionHQ for Australian property managers. We cover features, pricing, integrations, mobile experience, and AI capabilities to help you choose the right condition report tool.

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Software Review12 min read

Property Inspect vs ConditionHQ: A Comprehensive Comparison for Australian PMs (2026)

Comparing Property Inspect and ConditionHQ for Australian property managers. An honest look at features, pricing, integrations, market presence, and which tool is right for your agency.

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Software Review11 min read

PropertyMe Inspection Reports: What Is Missing and How to Fill the Gaps (2026)

PropertyMe's built-in inspection reports cover the basics, but dedicated tools offer AI descriptions, entry/exit comparison, and bond evidence. Learn what's missing and how ConditionHQ complements PropertyMe.

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Guide14 min read

How New PMs Can Get Up to Speed on Inspections Fast

A comprehensive guide for new property managers on how to conduct property inspections and condition reports in Australia. Covers state requirements, step-by-step first inspection walkthrough, common mistakes, tools, and building a systematic approach.

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Guide13 min read

Tenant-Assisted Inspections: How to Set Them Up

Learn how to implement tenant-assisted inspections for Australian rental properties. Covers benefits, legal considerations per state, technology that enables them, structuring the process, best practices, and when to avoid them.

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Guide13 min read

How Much Does a Condition Report Cost? (All Australian States)

How much does a condition report cost in Australia? DIY ($0–40), software ($20–60/mo), and professional ($150–400) pricing compared by state.

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Guide14 min read

Condition Report vs Routine Inspection: What's the Difference?

Understand the key differences between condition reports and routine inspections in Australian rental properties. Covers legal requirements, timing, documentation standards, tenant notice periods by state, and how both work together to protect landlords and tenants.

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Compliance16 min read

VIC Rental Minimum Standards Checklist: What Property Managers Must Verify Before Advertising (2026)

Complete checklist for Victorian rental minimum standards under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997. Covers the November 2025 reforms requiring properties to meet minimum standards before advertising, what the standards are, and how condition reports prove compliance.

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Compliance15 min read

NSW Rental Law Changes 2025-2026: What Property Managers Need to Know and Do Now

Complete guide to NSW rental law changes affecting property managers in 2025-2026. Covers Bond Online mandatory from July 2025, standard rental application forms from March 2026, removal of no-grounds evictions, and how these changes impact condition reports and bond processes.

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Guide18 min read

The Property Manager's Guide to Winning Bond Disputes: Evidence, Process, and Best Practices (2026)

A property manager's guide to winning bond disputes in Australia. Covers evidence types, photography best practices, timeline management, tribunal processes, common dispute categories, and state-by-state requirements for building bulletproof bond claims.

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Tips14 min read

5 Condition Report Mistakes That Cost Landlords Their Bond Claim

The five most common condition report mistakes that cause landlords and property managers to lose bond claims. Learn what goes wrong, real consequences at tribunal, and how to avoid each mistake with practical, actionable advice.

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Software Review14 min read

Best Property Inspection Software in Australia (2026 Comparison)

SnapInspect vs PropertyMe vs Property Inspect vs Inspection Manager vs ConditionHQ — features, pricing, AU state compliance compared (2026).

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Software Review15 min read

7 Best SnapInspect Alternatives for Australian Property Managers (2026)

Looking for a SnapInspect alternative? We compare 7 property inspection tools for Australian PMs, including a free AI-powered option. Public pricing.

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Software Review12 min read

Free Property Inspection Apps in Australia (2026): Complete Comparison Guide

Compare every free property inspection app available in Australia for 2026. We cover truly free options, free trials, freemium tiers, and government templates so you can find the right fit without spending a cent.

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Compliance14 min read

QLD Bond Evidence Requirements: The Complete Property Manager's Compliance Guide (2026)

A property manager's guide to QLD bond evidence requirements under the updated Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008. Learn what evidence you need, the 14-day deadline, common mistakes, and how to build bulletproof bond claims.

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Guide12 min read

How to Do a Condition Report in Under 15 Minutes (Without Cutting Corners)

Learn how to complete a thorough property condition report in under 15 minutes. Practical room-by-room guide with photography tips, condition descriptions, and state-specific requirements for Australian property managers.

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Guide14 min read

Entry vs Exit Condition Reports: The Definitive Guide for Australian Property Managers

Entry vs exit condition report in Australia: what to check, fair wear vs damage, tribunal evidence, bond disputes. Free state-by-state checklist.

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