Rental inspections should have a clear purpose and respect the tenant’s privacy. A routine inspection, a repair visit and a sale inspection are different forms of access with different requirements.
Use the correct notice
For routine inspections without the tenant’s consent, NSW generally allows no more than four inspections in 12 months and requires at least seven days’ written notice. Other purposes, including repairs, valuation and buyer inspections, have their own rules. Check the current official table for the visit you are arranging.
An absent tenant still has rights
A tenant being away or difficult to contact does not create a general exception to notice requirements. Entry without consent must fall within a permitted ground and satisfy its conditions. Document the reason, notice and arrangements rather than treating an unanswered message as permission.
Keep the inspection focused
Discuss access in advance and inspect the premises for relevant condition and maintenance issues. Avoid treating the visit as a review of the tenant’s lifestyle or an invitation to search their personal possessions. Record faults clearly and distinguish observations from assumptions about their cause.
Follow through afterwards
Provide a concise record of issues and arrange any necessary work. A routine inspection is a chance to identify maintenance, not a substitute for responding to repair reports between visits. If access is disputed, use the appropriate advice or dispute process rather than forcing entry.
Sources and current guidance
Guidance reviewed 3 October 2026. Check the linked official information for your circumstances.
