Emergency Repairs

Tenant Emergency Repairs

Under the NSW residential tenancy laws, an “urgent repair” means:

  • a gas leak
  • a dangerous 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 property
  • a failure or breakdown of any essential service for hot water, cooking, heating, cooling or laundering
  • a fault or damage which makes the property unsafe or insecure
  • a burst water service
  • an appliance, fitting or fixture that uses water or is used to supply water that is broken or not functioning properly, so that a substantial amount of water is being wasted
  • a blocked or broken toilet
  • a serious roof leak

This rule does not include work needed to repair premises that are owned by a person other than the landlord or a person having superior title (such as a head landlord) to the landlord.

Smoke alarms are also considered “urgent” to ensure they are working, but there are different rules about their repair. Get more information about repair and maintenance of smoke alarms.

Emergency Contacts

The tenant must notify the landlord or agent of urgent repair needs straight away.

If you are unable to reach either of the above, please contact the following:

Plumber / Hot Water

Electrician