Selling an investment property: tenants, timing and tax realities

Tenanted, vacant or in between

A fixed-term lease survives the sale in WA: buyers purchase subject to the tenancy, which narrows your pool to investors but keeps income flowing. Selling vacant opens the owner-occupier market, usually the deeper pool, but costs you rent through the campaign. Periodic tenancies offer flexibility with proper notice. The right answer depends on your property’s most likely buyer, and we model both paths before recommending.

Working with your tenants

Cooperative tenants make or break a tenanted campaign. WA tenancy law governs entry and inspections during a sale, and goodwill governs everything else. Early communication, respectful scheduling and small considerations keep the property presentable and the inspections smooth. If we manage the property, we run this coordination as part of the campaign.

Tax questions for your accountant

Capital gains tax, depreciation clawback and timing across financial years materially affect your net result, and the rules depend on your circumstances. We are not tax advisers and will not pretend to be; we will, however, make sure you have the sale-timing options framed clearly to take to your accountant before the campaign locks in.

The asset review alternative

Sometimes the right answer is not selling: a renovation, a rent reset or a refinance can transform a tired asset’s returns. Our property management team runs annual asset reviews exactly for this decision. If selling wins on evidence, our sales team takes the baton without you repeating a word.