Depreciation and tax for landlords: the conversation to have with your accountant

Why depreciation matters

Depreciation lets investors deduct the declining value of a building and its fittings against income, often making a meaningful difference to after-tax returns, especially on newer properties. Many landlords never commission a depreciation schedule and quietly donate money to the tax office every year.

The schedule and who prepares it

A depreciation schedule is prepared by a qualified quantity surveyor, not your agent or accountant, and typically pays for itself quickly. Rules differ for newer versus established properties and for plant versus capital works, with significant changes made over the years, which is why current professional advice beats internet folklore.

Records are deductions

Management fees, maintenance, insurance, rates, loan interest and travel rules all have tax treatments your accountant can optimise only if the records exist. Professional management helps here mechanically: our statements give your accountant a clean, itemised year in one document.

Our lane and theirs

We are not tax advisers, and this guide is orientation, not advice. What we do provide: immaculate records, annual income and expense summaries and a property-level view of where spending went. Pair that with a good accountant and a current depreciation schedule, and your investment’s tax position looks after itself.