Can an Owner Claim Time/Costs for Repairs??

So my tenants have finally exited, and left an absolute mess for cleaning/rubbish removal/repairs...

Rather than get a variety of tradesmen in, and then having to supervise their efforts across a number of days etc, if I undertake some of the works required, and where competent, what is a reasonable charge rate for claiming my time against the bond?

Is $35 per hour a reasonable charge for having all the tools (more than any handyman) and the skills to complete tasks throughout the property? i.e. from lawn/turf laying/repairs, flyscreen replacements, decking sanding/sealing, rubbish removal, wall repairs etc...

Alternatively, I could have just outsourced everything, to multiple tradesman, who would have charged considerably more across the range of tasks, so in essence I am minimizing the tenants losses by effectively and efficiently utilizing the skills and tooling I have access to, so what is a fair charge rate for doing so?

 

You cannot claim your own labour from a tax persective. Materials are OK.

In the past, I have claimed my own labour costs against a tenant's bond at $55.00 ph inc GST thru a separate entity of mine.

 

I often do required work on my IP, when I can.

I claim material costs. Accountant advised that I can't claim the cost of things like power tools, but I do claim for paint brushes etc.

 

You can claim materials and km/travel expenses if directly related to inspecting or maintaining the property.

 

I use my own labour or our combined labour when preparing a property for rental, once let, tenant needs to leave in a similar state.

In other words, it is far easier and less stress once vacant and between tenants to only spend our effort on routine maintenance and the tenant can pay for proper cleaning etc IMO

If you have places in opposite individuals names & both have ABN, you could probably invoice at a normal business rate if it is all recorded as a business normally does.

 

From a tax perspective no. From a claiming bond perspective yes, at a rate of $23.53 here in South Australia. I'm not familiar with other states rules on whether this exists or is a different amount.

I'd start by looking under the abandoned goods section of your state's Residential Tenancy Act.