Property repairs and maintenance
What do you need to know about repairs and maintenance on the property you are renting? Firstly, tenants must take care of the property by keeping it clean and not damaging anything. Tenants are responsible for basic household maintenance such as:
- replacing light bulbs
- replacing batteries in smoke alarms
- mowing the lawn.
Tenants must report any damage to the property via our office. There are two types of repairs – urgent and non-urgent repairs.
Urgent repairs
Urgent repairs must be fixed quickly. For example, a:
- broken stove or oven
- broken hot water system
- burst water pipe
- blocked toilet
- gas leak or electrical fault
You must notify our agency of urgent repairs straight away. If you cannot contact our agency, you can arrange the below qualified tradespeople to fix the problem and pay for it yourself.
- Handyman – Panthera Property Maintenance – 0410 686 262
- Electrician – Calibre Electrical Solutions – 0401 514 017
- Electrician – Quantum Electric Group – 0432 113 149
- Locksmith – Anytime Security Locksmiths – 0478 779 984
- Plumber – Plumbing & Co – 0413 910 002
How about non-urgent repairs?
Non-urgent repairs are damages that do not need fixing right away. For example, a broken cupboard or a cracked glass window. Write a letter to the agent or landlord explaining what needs fixing and when you would like it done. Remember, non-urgent repairs might not be fixed as quickly as urgent repairs. Send a reminder to the agent or landlord if you need to. Do not arrange or pay to have non-urgent repairs done yourself unless the agent or landlord agrees in writing to pay for it. To avoid disagreements, write down any problems you report to the agent or landlord and keep a copy. You must keep paying your rent even if the agent or landlord fails to do repairs. If you stop paying rent, you are breaking your lease. You could be asked to leave the property by your landlord.