Annual HOLD Check
Keep the property through difficult periods.
Best for: Every owner, once a year
Most of the checks in HOLD Tips get done reactively, when something prompts them. This is the one-sitting version: a single annual pass through every major cost and cash flow lever on the property.
Why this matters
Small gaps in rent, insurance, loan rate, and fees rarely get checked together. Reviewed once a year as a single audit, they're far more likely to actually get actioned than if each is left to come up on its own.
Who can help
Property manager
Rent position and management fees.
Mortgage broker
Loan rate and structure.
Insurance broker
Cover levels versus current condition.
Quantity surveyor
Depreciation schedule currency.
Accountant
Loan purpose and tax position.
The checklist
0 of 12 marked
Rent against current market
Compare with three current comparables from your property manager.
Loan rate against current market
Is the rate still competitive for an investment loan?
Fixed-rate expiry
Is a fixed rate ending in the next 12 months? Review options before the rollover.
Insurance cover levels
Does the policy still match the property's actual state — both directions?
Depreciation schedule currency
Does it reflect any renovations or additions since it was prepared?
Property management fees
In line with what's standard for your market?
Body corporate / strata position
Sinking fund forecast and AGM minutes, if applicable.
Maintenance position
Any ageing, high-failure-cost systems that need preventive attention?
Cash buffer against target
Could you carry the property through a bad quarter?
Loan redraw use
Any redraws this year, and what were they used for?
Major upcoming costs
Anything large and known in the next 12 months — works, levies, expiries?
CGT and renovation records
Are this year's invoices and records filed where you'll find them at sale time?
Your marks are saved on this device, so you can pick the check back up any time.
TAKE ACTION · CHECKLIST
One sitting, once a year
Run the Annual HOLD Check
Work through the checklist below in one sitting. Mark each item as you go — anything flagged 'Action needed' has a HOLD Tip to take you to the next step.
USE AI TO HELP
Use AI as the working partner for your annual check — it organises, you decide.
Best prompt for this issue
I'm running my annual review of an investment property. Using the numbers and documents I provide, work through rent, loan rate, fixed-rate expiry, insurance, depreciation, management fees, strata, maintenance, buffer, redraw use, upcoming costs and record-keeping. For each area, tell me whether it looks worth deeper review and what question to ask which professional. Do not make final decisions for me.
Quick modes
WHAT TO PROVIDE
- latest property manager statement
- loan statement
- insurance renewal
- body corporate notices if applicable
- depreciation schedule
ASK AI TO GIVE YOU
- a short summary of the situation
- the main issue
- missing information
- risks to investigate
- questions to ask
- the next three actions
Privacy: do not paste passwords, tax file numbers, bank account details or other sensitive personal information into an AI tool. If a document contains personal details it doesn't need, redact them before uploading.
What happens next
Diarise the same date each year. Treat any item that surfaces an issue as its own follow-up action, using the relevant individual HOLD Tip.
Important considerations
- This is designed to be done once a year, not continuously — the goal is a rhythm, not a constant audit.
- This is general information, not personal financial or legal advice. Confirm specifics with your own adviser before acting.
THE HOLD QUESTION
If you did this audit today, what would it find that's been quietly slipping?
NOT SURE WHAT TO ASK AI?
Ask a Better Property Question
Most people don't need more AI — they need to ask AI better questions. Type your question (or skip it) and copy a prompt that makes any AI tool ask you the right things first.
I am trying to understand this property issue. Before answering, identify any important information that is missing. Ask me only the questions that materially affect the answer. Once I respond, explain the issue in plain English, separate facts from assumptions, identify the main risks and give me the next three actions. Flag anything that should be confirmed with a qualified professional.
Privacy: do not paste passwords, tax file numbers, bank account details or other sensitive personal information into an AI tool. If a document contains personal details it doesn't need, redact them before uploading. This is a way to prepare — not financial, tax or legal advice.
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