Can I Claim Rental Property Travel Costs?

Usually no.

If you are an ordinary individual landlord with a residential rental property, you generally cannot claim travel costs to inspect, maintain, repair or collect rent for that property.

That means you generally should not claim:

• fuel

• kilometres

• flights

• accommodation

• meals

• taxis

• Uber trips

• hire cars

• parking

• tolls

• travel to meet the property manager

• travel to inspect the rental

• travel to do repairs yourself

• travel to collect rent

That rule can feel harsh.

Especially when the trip was genuinely about the rental property.

But the law specifically denies many travel-related deductions connected with residential rental properties.

The practical GoTax approach is simple:

Do not claim your own travel to inspect or repair a residential rental property unless a clear exception applies. Claim the actual rental expenses correctly instead.

GoTax helps Australian rental property owners complete tax returns online, with returns checked by registered tax agents before lodgement.

Start your rental property tax return online with GoTax

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Why rental property travel is treated differently

Rental property travel claims were heavily restricted because they were commonly abused.

In the past, some landlords claimed trips to inspect properties, attend to repairs, visit agents or travel interstate, sometimes with private or holiday purposes mixed in.

The current rules are much tighter.

For ordinary residential rental property owners, travel connected with the rental property is generally not deductible.

That includes travel to:

• inspect the property

• maintain the property

• carry out repairs

• collect rent

• meet tenants

• meet the property manager

• attend the property between tenants

• check damage

• organise tradespeople

• review completed works

The tax law is not saying the trip did not happen.

It is saying the trip is generally not deductible.

A subtle distinction.

Still annoying.

Still important.

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Example: driving to inspect your rental property

Let’s say you own a residential rental property.

You drive across town to inspect the property after the tenant moves out.

You pay for:

• fuel

• tolls

• parking

You spend two hours checking the property and taking photos.

Can you claim the travel?

Generally no.

Even if the inspection was genuinely connected to the rental property, the travel cost is generally not deductible for an ordinary individual landlord.

But that does not mean the inspection was useless.

The photos and notes may still help support other rental claims, such as repairs or maintenance.

The travel cost may be out.

The records from the visit may still be useful.

Tax law enjoys this kind of half-helpful answer.

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Example: travelling to do repairs yourself

You own a rental property.

The tenant reports a broken door handle.

You drive to the property and fix it yourself.

You buy a replacement handle for $45 and use your own car to get there.

The travel cost is generally not deductible.

But the repair cost may still be deductible if it is a genuine rental repair and you keep the receipt.

This is the key distinction:

Item	Likely treatment
Your fuel to drive to the rental	Generally not deductible
Your kilometres to attend the property	Generally not deductible
The replacement door handle	May be deductible if it is a genuine repair
The invoice from a tradesperson	May be deductible if it relates to rental repairs
Property manager inspection fee	May be deductible if rental-related

So the practical answer is not:

“You lose everything.”

It is:

“Leave out the owner’s travel, but claim the actual rental expense if it qualifies.”

Much better.

Still not a free road trip.

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Example: flying interstate to inspect a rental property

This is a common one.

You live in Queensland.

You own a rental property in Melbourne.

You fly down to inspect the property and meet the agent.

You pay for:

• flights

• airport parking

• taxi or rideshare

• hotel accommodation

• meals

• car hire

For an ordinary individual residential landlord, those travel costs are generally not deductible.

This is especially important where the trip is mixed with private purposes.

For example:

• visiting family

• taking a holiday

• attending an event

• checking the rental “while you are there”

• spending a weekend away

• inspecting the property for one hour during a broader trip

If the main trip is private, the rental inspection does not rescue the travel cost.

Adding a rental property visit to a holiday is not tax planning.

It is a holiday with paperwork.

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What about travel to meet the property manager?

Travel to meet a property manager is also generally a travel cost connected with the residential rental property.

For ordinary individual landlords, that generally means no deduction.

A better practical approach is to rely on:

• property manager statements

• inspection reports

• photos

• repair invoices

• tenant correspondence

• email records

• video inspections

• condition reports

• tradesperson quotes

• agent notes

These records can usually do the job without trying to claim the owner’s travel.

And property manager fees themselves may still be deductible where they relate to managing the rental property.

That is the cleaner path.

Let the agent inspect.

Let the invoice tell the story.

Leave the flight out of the tax return.

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The repair may still be deductible

This is the most important practical point.

The travel rule does not mean rental repairs are automatically denied.

If you pay for genuine rental repairs or maintenance, those costs may still be deductible, depending on the facts.

Examples may include:

• plumber invoice

• electrician invoice

• locksmith invoice

• pest control invoice

• cleaning invoice

• gardening invoice

• replacement parts for a genuine repair

• materials used for rental maintenance

• property manager fees for arranging repairs

The travel cost is one thing.

The repair cost is another.

Do not throw both out.

Do not claim both automatically either.

Put the right cost in the right place.

That is the GoTax position.

Boring.

Correct.

Wonderful combination.

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Repairs, improvements and travel

Be careful where the trip relates to larger works.

There is a big difference between:

• fixing a damaged item

• maintaining the property

• replacing something entirely

• improving the property

• renovating the property

• doing substantial works

Even if your travel is not deductible, the work itself still needs correct tax treatment.

For example:

Work	Possible issue
Fix broken tap	May be repair
Replace damaged lock	May be repair
Repair storm-damaged fence	May be repair
Replace entire kitchen	Likely improvement/capital issue
Renovate bathroom	Likely capital issue
Major structural works	Capital works issue
Fix damage that existed when purchased	Initial repair/capital issue

The travel rule answers only the travel question.

It does not magically turn improvements into repairs.

Sadly, tax law has more than one trap per property.

Read: Repairs vs Improvements: Rental Property Tax Rules 2026

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What if the property is off-market for repairs?

A property may be unavailable for rent for a short period because repairs or maintenance are being done.

That does not automatically mean all rental deductions are lost.

In practical terms, where a property remains genuinely rental-focused and is only off-market for a short period for ordinary repairs or maintenance, some holding costs may still be deductible, depending on the facts.

But be careful with larger works.

If the property is taken off-market for substantial renovations, or if vacant land rules are triggered, interest and other holding costs may need closer review.

This is where the practical treatment changes.

Small repair between tenants?

Usually one discussion.

Major renovation before the property is available again?

Very different discussion.

Tax law does not treat a leaking tap and a full rebuild as the same thing.

Neither should the return.

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What if you personally do the repairs?

Some landlords do their own minor repairs.

That can create two separate issues:

Item	Practical treatment
Your labour	Usually not deductible
Your travel	Generally not deductible for residential rental property
Materials	May be deductible if they relate to genuine rental repairs
Tools bought for the job	Needs separate review
Major works	May be capital, not immediate repair

You generally cannot charge your own labour to the rental property as a deduction.

You also generally cannot claim the travel to get there.

But you may still claim the actual cost of materials used for a deductible repair.

Example:

You drive to the rental and replace a broken tap washer.

You cannot generally claim the travel.

You cannot claim your own time.

But the cost of the washer may be deductible if it relates to a genuine rental repair.

Not thrilling.

But practical.

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What if the property is a holiday home or Airbnb?

Holiday homes and short-term rentals need even more care.

This is where travel claims can become especially risky.

Examples include:

• visiting the holiday home for a weekend and checking it while there

• staying at the property privately between guest bookings

• travelling to prepare the property for family use

• blocking peak dates for personal holidays

• inspecting the property during a private trip

• mixing repairs with a personal stay

• travelling to clean after family or friends use it

For ordinary residential rental owners, the travel cost is generally not deductible anyway.

But holiday homes can also raise broader issues around:

• private use

• availability for rent

• whether the property is mainly used to derive rent

• apportioning expenses

• family or friend use

• blocked dates

• non-commercial rental arrangements

In other words, travel is only one part of the problem.

The calendar may be the bigger problem.

And calendars do not lie.

They just sit there quietly until tax time.

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What exceptions may apply?

There are limited exceptions.

The travel denial rule generally does not apply in the same way where:

• the travel is necessarily incurred in carrying on a business of letting rental properties

• the taxpayer is a corporate tax entity

• the taxpayer is certain types of superannuation plan, not including SMSFs

• the taxpayer is a managed investment trust

• another specific excluded-entity exception applies

• the property is not residential premises used as residential accommodation

Most ordinary mum-and-dad landlords are not carrying on a business of letting rental properties.

Owning one or two rental properties usually does not make someone a rental property business.

So for most GoTax rental property clients, the safe practical answer is:

Do not claim owner travel for residential rental property inspections, maintenance or repairs.

If someone believes an exception applies, that needs proper review.

That is not the place for “I reckon”.

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What should you claim instead?

Instead of trying to claim travel, focus on the deductible rental costs that are easier to support.

These may include:

• property manager fees

• agent inspection fees

• repair invoices

• maintenance invoices

• materials for genuine repairs

• advertising for tenants

• council rates

• water rates

• landlord insurance

• body corporate fees

• loan interest

• depreciation or capital works, where applicable

• tax agent fees

The practical shift is:

Do not claim your trip. Claim the rental expense.

If a property manager or tradesperson attends the property and charges you, that cost may be part of the rental expense record.

That is usually much cleaner than trying to claim your personal travel.

Cleaner records.

Cleaner return.

Less ATO eyebrow movement.

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Records to keep

Even though the travel cost is generally not deductible, keep records connected with the rental issue.

Useful records include:

• property manager inspection reports

• photos of damage

• tenant emails

• repair invoices

• quotes

• maintenance invoices

• property condition reports

• entry and exit reports

• notes from the agent

• details of vacancy periods

• records showing the property was available for rent

• calendar records for short-term rentals

• proof of private-use periods

• receipts for repair materials

• details of what work was done

• before and after photos

These records can support the actual rental expense.

They can also help explain why the property was vacant or why repairs were needed.

Your travel cost may be out.

Your evidence still matters.

This is tax’s way of saying:

“You can do the admin, just not claim the petrol.”

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Common mistakes with rental property travel

Avoid these:

Mistake	Why it matters
Claiming kilometres to inspect a residential rental	Generally not deductible
Claiming flights to visit an interstate rental	Generally not deductible
Claiming accommodation during a rental inspection trip	Generally not deductible
Claiming meals during the trip	Generally not deductible
Adding a rental inspection to a holiday	Usually private travel problem
Claiming travel to do repairs yourself	Travel generally denied
Forgetting the repair invoice may still be deductible	Travel and repairs are different
Claiming your own labour	Usually not deductible
Treating property manager fees as travel	Agent fees are different from your travel
Assuming one rental property is a rental business	Usually not enough

The worst outcome is claiming travel incorrectly and missing the actual rental expense that should have been claimed.

That is losing twice.

Tax already has enough ways to be irritating.

No need to add another.

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Practical GoTax position

For 2026 and beyond, the practical GoTax treatment should be:

For ordinary individual landlords with residential rental properties, do not claim owner travel to inspect, maintain, repair or collect rent.

Instead:

• claim genuine rental repairs if deductible

• claim property manager fees if rental-related

• claim tradesperson invoices where allowable

• keep records of damage and work done

• separate repairs from improvements

• exclude private-use periods

• be careful with holiday homes and Airbnb

• check major renovation periods properly

• keep the travel out unless a clear exception applies

That approach is conservative.

It is also practical.

And practical beats clever when the ATO is reading.

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How GoTax helps

GoTax helps rental property owners complete tax returns online.

The system prompts you through rental income and expense areas, and your return is checked by registered tax agents before lodgement.

That can help with:

• rental income

• property manager statements

• repairs and maintenance

• rental travel traps

• private-use adjustments

• holiday homes

• short-term rentals

• capital improvements

• rental records

• common ATO problem areas

GoTax rental property tax returns start at:

$109 for one rental property

Additional rental properties are:

$40 per additional rental property

Start your rental property tax return online with GoTax

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Quick checklist before claiming rental property travel

Before claiming anything connected to a rental property visit, ask:

• Is this a residential rental property?

• Am I an ordinary individual landlord?

• Was the cost travel-related?

• Was the trip to inspect, maintain, repair or collect rent?

• Was the trip mixed with private or holiday travel?

• Was the property genuinely available for rent?

• Was the property off-market for repairs or renovations?

• Is the actual repair invoice deductible instead?

• Did the property manager charge an inspection or management fee?

• Do I have photos, invoices or reports?

• Does a specific exception clearly apply?

If the answer is uncertain, leave the travel out and check the actual rental expenses instead.

That is usually the better answer.

Less exciting.

More defensible.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I claim travel to inspect my rental property?

Generally no. Ordinary individual landlords usually cannot claim travel costs to inspect a residential rental property.

Can I claim kilometres to visit my rental property?

Generally no. Kilometres, fuel and other car costs for visiting a residential rental property are usually not deductible for ordinary individual landlords.

Can I claim flights to inspect an interstate rental property?

Generally no. Flights, accommodation, meals and related travel costs are usually not deductible for ordinary individual residential rental owners.

Can I claim travel to repair my rental property?

Generally no. Your travel to do or organise repairs is usually not deductible. However, the actual repair cost may still be deductible if it qualifies.

Can I claim materials used to repair a rental property?

You may be able to claim materials used for genuine rental repairs, provided the property use, timing and records support the deduction.

Can I claim property manager inspection fees?

Property manager fees and inspection fees may be deductible where they relate to managing the rental property.

What if my trip was partly private?

Private or holiday travel creates extra risk. For ordinary residential rental owners, the travel is generally not deductible anyway.

Are there exceptions to the rental travel rule?

Yes, limited exceptions can apply, including where travel is necessarily incurred in carrying on a business of letting rental properties or where certain excluded entities are involved. Most ordinary individual landlords will not fit these exceptions.

Can GoTax help with rental property tax returns?

Yes. GoTax helps Australians complete rental property tax returns online, with returns checked by registered tax agents before lodgement.

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About the Author

Written by Mark Walmsley, Chartered Accountant and Registered Tax Agent.

GoTax helps Australians complete their tax returns online, with returns checked by registered tax agents before lodgement.

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General Information Disclaimer

This article provides general information only and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Tax law can change and rental property tax treatment depends on property use, ownership, records, repairs, private use, whether the property is residential, whether an exception applies and your specific facts. If you are unsure, seek advice from a registered tax agent.