Australian homes face unique conditions — hot summers, storm seasons, bushfire risk and coastal salt exposure. Regular maintenance protects your property and helps you avoid expensive repairs. Here are the key tasks every household should track:

• Smoke alarm testing — test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries at least once a year. In Australia, hardwired smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.
• Gutter cleaning — clear leaves and debris from gutters before storm season and at least twice a year. Blocked gutters can cause roof damage and flooding.
• Heating and cooling servicing — service air conditioners before summer and heaters before winter. Regular servicing improves efficiency and catches issues early.
• Solar and battery systems — check solar panel performance, inverter status and battery health at least quarterly. Many Australian homes now rely on solar for power.
• Hot water system — check the temperature and pressure relief valve yearly. Gas hot water systems should be serviced by a licensed plumber every 2-5 years.
• Garage door servicing — lubricate moving parts and check safety features annually. Garage doors are one of the most-used moving parts in a home.

PlanWithHome gives you a structured maintenance plan based on your home profile. Each task has a suggested frequency, and you get a reminder when it is due. When you complete a task, log the date, cost and provider to build a full service history.

You can customise the plan to match your property — add tasks for your specific appliances, garden features or building materials. Set recurring schedules aligned to Australian seasons: pre-summer air conditioning checks, autumn gutter cleans, winter heater servicing and spring garden preparation.

Having a complete maintenance history is useful when selling your home or negotiating repairs. It shows what has been looked after and when.