What are urgent repairs?
Urgent or emergency repairs are issues that need immediate attention because they make your home unsafe or unlivable. These include problems such as burst water pipes, gas leaks, major roof leaks, dangerous electrical faults, or breakdowns of essential services like heating, cooling, or hot water. Under tenancy laws, these repairs must be made as soon as possible.
The Residential Tenancy Agreement clause 19 (a – k) of Schedule 1 refers to urgent repairs defined in the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 and are as follows:
– a burst water service
– an appliance, fitting, or fixture that uses water or is used to supply water that is broken or not functioning properly, so that a substantial amount of water is wasted.
– a blocked or broken lavatory system,
– a serious roof leak,
– a gas leak,
– a dangerous electrical fault,
– flooding or serious flood damage,
– serious storm or fire damage,
– a failure or breakdown of the gas, electricity or water supply to the premises;
– a failure or breakdown of any essential service on the residential premises for hot water, cooking, heating, cooling, or laundering.
– any fault or damage that causes the premises to be unsafe or insecure.
Reporting urgent repairs:
If you encounter an urgent repair, contact your landlord or property manager right away by phone. Even if the issue seems resolved after the call, it’s important to follow up with a written request—either via email, text, or using an official maintenance form from your agent. This written record ensures you have proof of reporting the issue, which may be crucial if further action is needed. In some states, there are official forms you can use to help expedite the process.
What to do if urgent repairs aren’t addressed:
If your landlord doesn’t respond to an urgent repair immediately, you have the right to escalate the matter. If the repair is urgent and still not addressed, in some states, you can organise and pay for the repair yourself up to a specified amount based on your state legislation, with reimbursement from the rental provider required within a set timeframe. If the landlord doesn’t reimburse you, you can apply to the tribunal for compensation.
What if it’s not clearly urgent?
Sometimes, it can be hard to determine if a repair qualifies as urgent. For example, if only your stove isn’t working, is it considered urgent? The law generally considers failure of an essential appliance like a stove as urgent, but if you’re unsure, it’s always better to report the issue and err on the side of caution.
If you are experiencing any of the above, please use the below trade contacts and email your property manager advising.