URGENT REPAIRS
- The landlord agrees to pay the tenant, within 14 days after receiving written notice from the tenant, any reasonable costs (not exceeding $1,000) that the tenant has incurred for making urgent repairs to the residential premises (of the type set out below) so long as:
- the damage was not caused as a result of a breach of this agreement by the tenant, and
- the tenant gives or makes reasonable attempt to give the landlord notice of the damage, and
- the tenant gives the landlord a reasonable opportunity to make the repairs, and
- the tenant makes a reasonable attempt to have any appropriate tradesperson named in this agreement make the repairs, and
- the repairs are carried out, where appropriate, by licensed or properly qualified persons, and
- the tenant, as soon as possible, gives or tries to give the landlord written details of the repairs, including the cost and the receipts for anything the tenant pays for.
Note. The type of repairs that are urgent repairs are defined in the Residential Tenancies ACT 2010 and are defined 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 being 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 on 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.
Sometimes these things happen without any warning.
It is important that the tenants notify the Agent/Landlord immediately (in writing), of the repair. Further, it is important that everything is documented in writing and documented in writing and communication between all “stakeholders” is at the highest level.
So, what is reasonable that is a grey area. It can depend on the time of day the event occurred. It could depend on the day of the week the event occurred e.g. weekend, public holiday, Easter or Christmas.
Most Agents/Landlords have a network of qualified trades people that can be engaged at short notice.
Please give Steve Arnold a call if you would like to discuss the contents above. Steve has over 35 years of experience in Residential Property Management.
(02) 4969 2600 | 0419 947 980 or mail@arnoldproperty.com.au
