The New Year Check Every Investor Should Do in 2026

There is something about January that feels like a reset. The pace softens, everyone exhales after the rush of December, and for a moment we all get a chance to look at things with fresh eyes. For property investors, that pause is worth using. The first two months of the year are historically Sydney’s strongest rental period. More enquiry. More movement. More opportunity to improve cash flow. Which is why a New Year property investment health check is one of the simplest and smartest habits you can build into your calendar.

Here is how to do it properly.

Step One. Check your property’s performance like a real business

Start with the basics. Are you genuinely happy with how your investment performed this year? It is easy to let things drift and assume the rent is fine because the tenant is paying. But has the rent been reviewed? Is it still in line with comparable homes in your suburb? I see a lot of investors quietly losing thousands over a few years simply because reviews were skipped. The gap between true market rent and the current rent can widen quickly, especially in a rising market.

Think of this as checking the dashboard on your car. You would not ignore a warning light and hope for the best. Your investment deserves the same attention.

Step Two. Review your routine inspections

Were all scheduled inspections completed? If so, what story did they tell? Has the condition of the property improved, declined or stayed the same?

This is often where little things snowball. A loose towel rail becomes a broken one. A slow leak becomes swollen cabinetry. And yes, delayed repairs almost always cost more in the long run. A quick look now can save a future headache.

Step Three. Look at tenancy stability and communication

A happy tenant is one of the most underrated assets in property management. Are they settled? Have you or your agent stayed on top of communication? Have small issues been addressed before they grow teeth?

Strong relationships reduce vacancy, minimise turnover and keep your property better cared for. I have seen investors underestimate this soft skill many times. It is not soft at all. It is strategy.

Step Four. Review your property management support

This is where I encourage landlords to be completely honest. Do you feel informed? Are you receiving proactive updates or only hearing from your agent when something has gone wrong? Are inspections, rent reviews and maintenance handled properly?

NSW Fair Trading puts it plainly: “Landlords who do not live near the rental property, are busy or do not know the law very well may wish to use an agent to find a tenant and manage the property on their behalf.”

Regardless of who manages the property, landlords remain responsible for ensuring the law is followed. Which means your property manager needs to be competent, compliant and genuinely on your side.

If you feel like you are doing most of the work, something is off.

Step Five. Maximise the January to February rental peak

Sydney moves at the start of the year. Leases expire. Families relocate. Students secure housing. When timed well, this period can mean shorter vacancy and higher rent.

Fresh photography, updated appraisals, cosmetic tweaks and planned lease expiries can make a meaningful difference. Sometimes a simple shift in timing adds five or ten per cent to your annual return.

Step Six. Future proof your investment

A good property investment health check also looks ahead. Review your insurance. Set a maintenance budget. Confirm compliance and safety checks. And if you are planning improvements, map out what will create long term value rather than quick wins.

Step Seven. Go with your gut about your property manager

This one is harder to measure, but it matters more than most people realise. You probably already know whether your property manager is the right fit. Do you feel calm when you think about your investment, or slightly uneasy? Do you trust that things are being handled, or do you double check everything just in case?

Property management is not just systems and legislation. It is a relationship. You are trusting someone to look after one of your biggest assets, deal with people on your behalf, and make judgement calls every single week. If communication feels strained, if advice feels reactive instead of considered, or if something just feels off, it is worth listening to that instinct. I have spoken to many landlords who say they knew early on that it was not working, but stayed out of convenience. Almost all of them wish they had acted sooner.

A good property manager should make you feel supported, informed and confident. You should feel comfortable asking questions and trust the answers you are given. If that is missing, it is not nitpicking. It is information. Your gut is often picking up on things before your spreadsheet does.

A final check in before you start the year

Small, thoughtful changes now can reshape your entire year as an investor. A clearer rent strategy. Better timing around lease expiries. A maintenance plan that prevents those expensive surprises. It all adds up.

If you would like a simple, obligation free review of how your property is performing, you can book a quick Property Investment Health Check with me.

It is you and me and company. Let’s make 2026 a strong, steady year for your investment.