Breakages and Accidental Damage
Tenants are responsible for any damage to the property if they damage something accidentally, intentionally, or through negligence. Tenants are also responsible for any damage done by their visitors or co-tenants. Tenants can also be required to cover the cost of tradespeople if they reported something as broken when it wasn’t. Common examples are:– the…Read More→
Are Tenants responsible for any maintenance or repairs?
Tenants are responsible for some specific types of maintenance. These include regular cleaning, replacing light bulbs, cleaning windows, dusting, and removing cobwebs. Some cleaning needs to be done regularly so that parts of the property don’t become damaged. Cleaning the paintwork and tile grouting stops mould build-up. Failing to clean regularly can result in pitied…Read More→
Improvements are by agreement
A simple definition of an improvement is that it makes the property better than it was at the time of the commencement of the lease.Improvements are mostly commonly thought of as adding something that wasn’t already present, like installing flyscreens or an air conditioner.It can also include replacing an existing feature with a new version,…Read More→
Reporting repairs
You can report a repair by phone or email to us. We need a clear description of the problem and the events leading up to it. We use this information to explain the problem to the landlord and their tradespeople. Send us photos if you are unsure how best to describe the issues. The better…Read More→
A Tenant’s right to make changes
Tenants can also fit improvements to the property, but they need to ask permission. This permission needs to be in writing, as does the request. Generally, a landlord can’t unreasonably refuse permission for a tenant to make minor improvements.These improvements fall into a couple of categories. Safety improvements· securing furniture to a wall, so it…Read More→
Access for tradespeople to carry out repairs
Our tradespeople will contact you to arrange access between 9-5 Monday to Friday. They don’t do after-hours work without charging after-hours rates at your cost. Our tradespeople can use office keys if you are unavailable to attend and complete the repairs with permission. When a tradesperson cannot arrange a mutually agreeable time, they will report…Read More→
When is a repair Urgent?
Some repairs carry special significance because they relate specifically to safety or the property’s fitness to live in. These repairs are described in the law as Urgent repairs, and Tenancy law requires these be acted upon without unreasonable delay. Specifically, urgent repairs include:• burst water service or severe leak (as opposed to minor leak)• broken…Read More→
How fast does an Urgent repair need to be fixed
Depending on what has gone wrong and when it happened, there are no hard and fast rules. A tenant must give an owner a Reasonable Opportunity to have the repair completed before taking action themselves. Both parties must act fairly towards each other and sensibly with the problem at hand. That means cooperation and consideration….Read More→
Protecting people and Property
An emergency repair is one that is necessary to protect people or property. If a reasonable person would get it fixed faster then its an unreasonable delay. But it also doesn’t mean Would they live with the problem until tradesmen and parts were available. That doesn’t mean that, that it must be replaced that night….Read More→
Can Tenants arrange their own urgent repairs?
When a repair is Urgent, conditions and processes still must be followed before a landlord is required to reimburse the tenant. – The repair cannot be the tenant’s fault or the tenant’s responsibility.– The tenant must first make a reasonable effort to contact the agent or landlord so that they can arrange the repair.– They…Read More→