What you need to know about urgent repairs and why they can’t wait!
Landlords have a responsibility to ensure that the property is fit to live in and meets health and safety laws. All properties need maintaining, and landlords should always budget for general maintenance and wear and tear, but some types of repairs will require immediate attention.
Urgent repairs (sometimes referred to as emergency repairs) are called urgent for a reason; they will need to be made as soon as possible, and knowing what your obligations and responsibilities are as a landlord will ensure a safe, comfortable, and legally compliant rental property.
By acting quickly and efficiently, as well as ensuring your tenant safety and satisfaction, you also will protect your property from further damage and costly repairs later down the track.
What is considered an urgent repair?
These are be repairs needed for serious issues that make a property unsafe or insecure or prevent access to essential services. That is, an issue that:
- threatens a property’s structural integrity.
- poses a risk to lives.
- makes a property unsafe or insecure.
- prevents access to essential services.
What are considered urgent repairs?
While every situation may vary slightly, the most common examples of emergency repairs include:
- Burst pipes or major water leaks
- Loss of essential services (for instance faulty hot water or electric systems)
- Broken locks or security failures
- Gas leaks
- Faulty heating or cooling in extreme weather (this includes air conditioners)
- Major roof damage
Natural disasters, such as serious storm, fire or flood damage are all considered to be urgent repairs and should be handled quickly.
To see a full list of urgent repairs visit the NSW Government website.
Tenant responsibilities
The tenant must notify the landlord or agent of urgent repair needs straight away.
If the landlord or agent does not fix the problem then tenants need to refer to their tenancy agreement to get details of approved repairers. Tenants can then follow these steps to getting urgent repairs done. After sending details of repairs and costs to you/your agent, the tenant must be paid back up to $1000.
For more information about this, visit the relevant section in the Resident Tenancies Act here.
Why are emergency repairs so important?
- Health and safety concerns
Urgent repairs are critical for ensuring the health and safety of your tenants. Leaking gas, faulty wiring, or a broken lock can pose serious risks. Addressing these problems swiftly reduces the chance of accidents or injuries. For instance, a gas leak can cause poisoning, while water damage can lead to mould growth, which is a health hazard.
- Preventing further damage to the property
Addressing emergency repairs quickly prevents further damage to the property. For example, failing to fix a leak from a burst pipe immediately can lead to costly water damage, and even structural issues that require extensive repairs. The longer you wait, the more damage is done, and the higher the repair costs.
- Legal requirements
Under the Residential Tenancies Act in NSW, landlords are legally obligated to ensure that the property is in a good state of repair and that any emergency repairs are dealt with promptly. Failing to do so could result in fines, compensation claims, or even loss of rental income if tenants decide to move out due to unsafe living conditions.
- Tenant retention and satisfaction
Responding quickly to emergency repair needs helps build trust with tenants. It shows that you’re committed to maintaining the property and that tenant safety is a priority. Happy tenants are more likely to stay longer and care for the property, and this reduces turnover costs and vacancies.
- Minimising insurance claims
In some cases, insurance policies may cover repairs if damage occurs. However, failing to act quickly on emergency repairs can lead to more extensive damage that isn’t covered by insurance or may result in higher premiums. Furthermore, if you don’t respond to emergencies correctly and timely, and someone hurts themselves as a result, an insurer may have the right to deny or limit a liability claim – and these can stretch into the millions of dollars.
How to manage emergency repairs efficiently
1. Have a 24/7 contact system
Make sure tenants know who to contact in case of an emergency, such as a 24/7 emergency contact number or a dedicated emergency repair service. This ensures tenants can get help at a time of crisis outside of regular business hours.
2. Keep a list of trusted contractors
Have a network of trusted, reliable contractors (plumbers, electricians, etc.) that you can call in emergencies. Having a good relationship with these professionals will reduce the time it takes to get repairs done.
3. Document and report repairs
Document any emergency repairs and keep detailed records of what’s been fixed, how long it took, and any associated costs. This protects both you and your tenants, and can help with future insurance claims or disputes.
4. Include emergency repair terms in the lease
Ensure your rental agreements include clear terms about how emergency repairs will be handled. Define what constitutes an emergency repair and outline the tenant’s responsibilities (such as reporting issues immediately) and your obligations to fix them promptly.
Use a property manager
We understand the importance of addressing repairs promptly and are committed to safeguarding the interests of property owners while providing a safe, and comfortable living environment for tenants. The rental agreements we draw up clearly state tenant responsibilities and we have a network of qualified trades available 24/7.
As well as managing the repair, we also keep detailed records of the urgent repair process should it be needed for making an insurance claim.
If you want to know more about our property management services, get in touch with us today!
Headed up by industry award-winner Kellie Andriessen, our team ensures your property is managed and maintained to the highest standards and complies with all legislation.
Call us on 02 4956 9777, send us an email to mail@newcastlepropertymanagement.com.au or visit us in person in our Cardiff office to find out more.
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