Urgent and Non-Urgent Repairs
Do you know the difference between urgent and non-urgent repairs for your rental properties?
It’s been a tricky time in lockdown for everyone, with businesses in far-reaching industries feeling the pinch. In the real estate world, this is having a range of effects: properties needing tenants, homes ready to be sold, renters who’ve lost business or employment finding it difficult to pay their rent, tenants moving in and out under lockdown conditions and properties requiring maintenance. Here is some important information if you are leasing your home.
Maintenance of Properties
The changes to the Residential Tenancies Act have had significant impacts on Renters and Rental Providers which includes the maintenance on properties, which may require either urgent and/or non-urgent repairs.
Urgent Repairs
An urgent repair means that the property is unsafe or difficult for a renter to live in. This might include something like an issue with a major appliance, a gas leak or electrical fault, mould, dampness, a burst water pipe or a blocked or broken toilet – if there is only one in the property. See below for a list of urgent repairs or check out the website at Consumer Affairs Victoria. If you are a Renter with an urgent repair, the first step is to ring your Agency to advise them of the issue and then follow up with written confirmation of the conversation by either email or a written maintenance request.
Non-Urgent Repairs
A non-urgent repair means a tenant can still live in the property without it impacting on their day to day living in the property – this could include a handle that needs replacing, a dishwasher not working, a blind that is not operating correctly. “A repair is non-urgent if the renter can continue to safely live in the property.” If the repair is non-urgent, advise your Agency in writing of the issue.
Urgent Repairs as outlined by Consumer Affairs Victoria
These repairs must be actioned immediately because of the difficulty and safety concerns for tenants. Anything that doesn’t appear on this list is considered to be non-urgent or general.
- burst water service
- blocked or broken toilet system
- serious roof leak
- gas leak
- dangerous electrical fault
- flooding or serious flood damage
- serious storm or fire damage
- an essential service or appliance for hot water, water, cooking, heating, or laundering is not working
- the gas, electricity or water supply is not working
- a cooling appliance or service provided by the rental provider is not working
- the property does not meet minimum standards
- a safety-related device, such as a smoke alarm or pool fence, is not working
- an appliance, fitting or fixture that is not working and causes a lot of water to be wasted
- any fault or damage in the property that makes it unsafe or insecure, including pests, mould or damp caused by or related to the building structure
- a serious problem with a lift or staircase.
If you are currently working with an agency other than Barry Plant, but would like to speak to us regarding repairs or general properties enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us. We pride ourselves on being one of the top Estate Agents in Ballarat and would be pleased to help.
3BA Interview with Gaile Atkinson
Check out Gaile Atkinson’s latest interview on 3BA with Brett MacDonald here - Rental News - Urgent Maintenance - 3BA - Gaile Atkinson and Brett Mac. Gaile is your number one source for everything you need to know as a Rental Provider or a Renter. If you’d like to chat to Gaile or any other member of the team at Barry Plant Ballarat, drop in anytime.
Our address is 806 Sturt St, Ballarat or give us a call on 03 5320 9300, or email on [email protected].
Here at Barry Plant, it feels like home. Looking for your new home? Planning on selling your home? Stay up to date with the latest properties in the area by following us on Facebook.
Further Information for Rentals Providers & Tenants:
Disclosure Statements are an important step for renting your properties. If you’re a Rental Provider looking for information about Disclosure Statements check out our recent blog post and radio interview.
Check out this article for a summary of how the regional rental market is performing.
https://www.barryplant.com.au/offices/ballarat/media-hub/news/how-regional-rental-market-performing/