For a property investor, every dollar spent on a rental has to earn its place, and fencing is no exception. A good fence is not just a boundary, it protects your asset, attracts quality tenants and can lift both rent and value, while a poorly chosen one becomes a steady stream of maintenance callouts. The trick is spending smart: durable, low-maintenance materials that look sharp, keep tenants happy and barely trouble you for years. In this guide we cover the return fencing offers on a rental, the best low-maintenance choices, how depreciation works in brief, and your obligations as a landlord on shared fences.
ROI And Tenant Appeal: Does Fencing Pay Off?
In most cases, yes. A secure, well-presented fence is one of the first things a prospective tenant notices, and it directly widens your pool of renters. Families and pet owners actively hunt for a fully fenced, private backyard, so a good fence can be the difference between a fast lease and weeks of vacancy, and even a single week of vacancy often costs more than a fence repair. Beyond filling the property faster, a tidy, secure yard supports a stronger rent and helps you keep good tenants who feel their kids, pets and privacy are looked after. Fencing rarely returns its full cost through a rent rise alone, but between faster leasing, lower vacancy, tenant retention and added property value, it is one of the more reliable improvements a landlord can make.
Low-Maintenance Materials For Rentals
For a rental, low maintenance is everything, because you are the one who fields the call when a fence needs painting or repairs. That is why we steer investors toward materials that look after themselves. Colorbond steel is the standout: it does not rot, warp or leave gaps, it gives complete privacy, resists Perth’s harsh weather and fire, and typically costs around $85 to $120 per metre installed, with only the occasional rinse to keep it sharp. Aluminium, including stylish slat styles, is similarly low-fuss and great for a modern look with airflow. PVC and vinyl suit coastal rentals, shrugging off salt, sun and rust with almost no upkeep. The one to think twice about is timber, which looks lovely but needs regular painting, sealing and repairs under our sun and termites, exactly the ongoing maintenance a busy landlord wants to avoid. For low maintenance fencing for rentals, a metal or PVC boundary is almost always the smarter long-term choice.
Fencing And Depreciation (Speak To Your Accountant)
Here is a bonus many investors miss: a new fence on an investment property is generally a depreciable asset. In Australia, fencing usually falls under capital works, which can typically be claimed at 2.5% per year over 40 years, quietly giving you a small tax deduction every year the fence is in place. A quantity surveyor can prepare a depreciation schedule that captures it alongside the rest of your property. We are fencers, not accountants, though, so please treat this as general information only. Tax rules change and everyone’s situation differs, so always confirm the details with your accountant or a qualified quantity surveyor before relying on it. It is simply worth knowing that the fence working hard in your backyard may also be working quietly on your tax return.
Landlord Fence Obligations And Shared Fences
When it comes to the boundary, the responsibility sits with you as the owner, not your tenant. Under WA’s Dividing Fences Act, a shared boundary fence is a matter between you and the neighbouring owner, and the cost of a sufficient dividing fence is generally split between the two properties, not passed on to whoever is renting. So if a neighbour approaches about repairing or replacing a shared fence, that is a landlord-to-landlord conversation. You also have a duty to provide fencing that is safe and compliant, most importantly a pool barrier that meets the standards if the property has a pool. Knowing your landlord fence obligations up front keeps you on the right side of the law and avoids disputes with both neighbours and tenants down the track.
Our Recent Rental Fencing Work In Perth
Low-maintenance fencing pays off fastest on a rental, and these recent projects show the hands-off finishes we fit for investors:
Maintenance-Free PVC Semi-Privacy Fence: We installed a PVC semi-privacy slat fence and matching pedestrian gate for a brand-new home, a barrier that never needs painting and simply hoses clean, ideal for a set-and-forget rental.
Monument Slat Boundary On A Marine-Grade Lock: Rendered masonry pillars carry Monument aluminium slat infill panels here, with the pedestrian gate on a marine-grade Borg digital lock, a durable, low-upkeep front that lifts a property’s rental appeal.
Colorbond Boundary With Allywall Retaining: A new Monument Colorbond boundary over Allywall retaining gave this sloping block a private, tidy fence line that will look after itself for decades with barely a wash.
Frequently Asked Questions
The rental fencing questions Perth investors ask us most:
What Is The Best Low-Maintenance Fence For A Rental?
Colorbond steel is the top pick, being private, durable and needing only an occasional rinse. Aluminium and PVC are also excellent low-maintenance options, while timber is best avoided for the upkeep it demands.
Can I Claim A New Fence On Tax?
A new fence on an investment property is generally depreciable as capital works, often at 2.5% a year. This is not tax advice, though, so confirm the details with your accountant or a quantity surveyor.
Is The Landlord Or Tenant Responsible For Fencing?
The landlord, as the property owner, is responsible for the fence and for sharing dividing-fence costs with the neighbour under the Dividing Fences Act. It generally is not the tenant’s obligation.
Does A Better Fence Really Increase Rent?
It rarely pays for itself in rent alone, but a secure, private fence helps lease the property faster, cuts vacancy, retains good tenants and adds value, which together make it well worth it.
Fence Your Rental The Smart Way
For an investor, the smart fencing choice is the one that quietly does its job for years: durable, low-maintenance, appealing to tenants, and compliant with your obligations. Colorbond, aluminium and PVC tick those boxes, keeping maintenance calls down while helping your property lease faster and hold its value, and the fence may even earn you a small annual deduction along the way. We work with Perth landlords and property managers every week and know exactly what makes a rental fence pay off. Get in touch today for expert advice and a free, no-obligation quote, and let us fence your investment the smart way.
With years of hands-on experience in the fencing industry, Niels founded FencrGatr with a mission to deliver premium fencing solutions backed by excptional service across Perth.
