Hi! 3 months After we started renting out our property, the tenants sent a list of items to be repaired. Most of them were related to the heavy rain and storms we had in Sydney. I would like to understand how these items should be treated in my tax return (repairs or capital works). - Resolve water stains and mould on some walls and skirting, and paint them again. - Replace a door to ceiling window which was beyond repairs - Replace hot water tank for granny flat and main dwelling (we understand that's capital works related. - Repair part of the floor and skirting which were damaged due to water inflitration - Fix some other minor issues (e.g. door locks, replace some hinges in the kitchen etc) Thank you in advance!
All landlords need to be aware of the difference between repairs and maintenance and repairs of a capital nature - works and allowances. Link below provides a good summary of the difference.
Rental property - repairs or capital expenses? | Australian Taxation Office
Your hot water tank is not capital works, but is capital in nature and comes under capital allowances.
The other items you could consider as repairs. Even the window, if it is a replacement, is a repair to your building. If it was an improvement then it would be capital works.
If you are interested the ATO legal ruling of repairs and repairs of a capital nature is in the link below
All replies
All landlords need to be aware of the difference between repairs and maintenance and repairs of a capital nature - works and allowances. Link below provides a good summary of the difference.
Rental property - repairs or capital expenses? | Australian Taxation Office
Your hot water tank is not capital works, but is capital in nature and comes under capital allowances.
The other items you could consider as repairs. Even the window, if it is a replacement, is a repair to your building. If it was an improvement then it would be capital works.
If you are interested the ATO legal ruling of repairs and repairs of a capital nature is in the link below
Featured articles
22 Apr 2024 · 6 min read time
15 Apr 2026 · 5 min read time
15 Apr 2026 · 4 min read time