Emergency Repairs

Urgent Repair Instructions

The law distinguishes between urgent (emergency) repairs and those which are not so urgent.

Urgent repairs are:

• a burst water service or a serious water service leak
• a blocked or broken toilet
• a serious roof leak
• a gas leak
• an 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 the hot water service
• a failure or breakdown of the stove or oven
• a failure or breakdown of a heater or air-conditioner
• a fault or damage which makes the premises unsafe or insecure
• a non working smoke alarm

If urgent repairs are needed, you must notify the landlord or agent right away.

To be able to arrange the trade directly and be reimbursed by the landlord (to a maximum of $1000), you must be able to show that:

• the need for the urgent repair was not your fault
• you contacted the landlord or agent about the problem or made a reasonable attempt to do so
• you gave the landlord or agent a reasonable opportunity to get the repairs done
• the repairs were carried out by a licensed tradesperson (if appropriate).

Emergency Tradespeople

• Optimal Plumbing 0405 313 313
• Well Connected Electrical 0406 065 905
• Bells Locksmiths 0415 967 038

For emergency help in a flood, storm or tsunami - call the SES on 132 500.

If you live in a strata building, there will be emergency numbers posted in the building's common area (usually by the entrance). Call these numbers first to ask if the issue is the strata company's responsibility to repair or your landlord. If it is the strata company, you must use their nominated trades.

Roof leaks are difficult in an emergency. For safety, a roofing company will not go on a roof if it is wet or raining. If you experience a significant roof leak during bad weather, you may need to call the SES for help until a roofing company can attend.

Please note: If you contact a tradesman and it’s not considered urgent under the Residential Tenancies Act, you will be charged for their time.