What Can You Claim on an Investment Property?

1. Loan-Related Costs

The interest on your investment loan is usually tax-deductible. That includes the interest portion of your mortgage repayments, plus those pesky loan fees (like application or account-keeping costs). In short: the money you spend to borrow money can often come back around as a deduction.

2. Property Management Fees

Got aproperty manager handling the day-to-day? Good news—their fees are deductible.That covers everything from finding tenants and advertising the property to doing inspections and making sure rent is paid on time. Essentially, you can claim the cost of outsourcing the stress.

3. Maintenance & Repairs

Fixing what’s broken? Claim it. Whether it’s leaky taps, fresh paint, or replacing abusted light fixture, repairs and maintenance are generally deductible. Just remember repairs restore, renovations improve. Renovations may still have tax benefits,but they fall under a different category.

4. Council Rates, Water & Insurance

Owning aproperty comes with the usual bills—rates, water charges, and landlord insurance premiums. The silver lining? They’re all tax-deductible. Consider it one less reason to sigh when the council bill arrives.

5. Depreciation

Here’s where things get interesting. You can often claim depreciation on the building itself (if it was built after 1985) and on assets inside, like carpets, appliances, and air conditioners. A quantity surveyor can whip up a depreciation schedule, so you don’t miss a cent.

6. Travel & Legal Expenses

If you travel for inspections or end up in a tenancy dispute, certain costs may be deductible too. That includes some legal fees tied directly to managing the property. Just keep your receipts as your future self (and accountant) will thank you.

Final Thoughts

Getting smart about your deductions can make a big difference to your bottom line. Keep clear records, stay organised, and don’t be afraid to lean on expert advice or the ATO guidelines. At the end of the day, every eligible dollar you claim helps your investment work harder for you,now that’s money well managed.

‍