Landlord Responsibilities: Repairs and Maintenance
As a landlord, it is important to ensure that the rental property is well-maintained and that any necessary repairs are carried out promptly. In most cases, it is the landlord’s responsibility to arrange and pay for repairs unless the tenant caused the damage. In such cases, the tenant may be asked to pay for the repairs. Regular maintenance and timely repairs are crucial to maintaining the value and income potential of an investment property. Proactive maintenance can prevent small problems from turning into larger, more expensive ones, saving time, money, and hassle in the long run.
Neglecting repairs can lead to more significant damage, reduce the property’s value, and result in lower rental income and longer vacancy periods. Prioritising maintenance and repairs can increase the property’s value and attract potential buyers, making it a profitable investment for years to come.
If a tenant contacts us regarding an urgent repair, it is important for us to respond promptly and arrange for repairs to be carried out within the required timeframes. Acting on the landlord’s behalf, we have 24 hours to arrange repairs for essential services and 48 hours for other urgent repairs. Although repairs don’t have to be completed within these timeframes, they must be done as soon as is reasonably possible after arrangements have been made, given the current difficulty in finding tradespeople.
If the tenant cannot contact us within the required timeframes, they may arrange for a qualified repairer to do the repairs. However, it must be done to the minimum extent necessary, and they must keep receipts and a record of contact with you to be reimbursed for reasonable expenses.
For non-urgent repairs, the tenant should provide written notice detailing the repairs that need to be done, we then have a responsibility to respond promptly. If the repairs are not completed within a suitable timeframe, the tenant can serve you with a breach notice. If we continue to ignore the request, they can make an application to the Magistrates Court to order the necessary repairs or maintenance.
It is important to note that tenants are responsible for basic household maintenance such as cleaning floors, replacing light bulbs, cleaning windows, dusting, removing cobwebs inside and outside, and garden maintenance, including watering, mowing, weeding, pruning, and fertilising, unless otherwise stated in the tenancy agreement. However, as a landlord, you are responsible for addressing normal wear and tear.
We believe it’s a good idea to discuss maintenance responsibilities with the tenant at the start of the tenancy and to keep lines of communication open throughout the rental period. If the tenant has any questions about repairs and maintenance, we encourage them to call our office for guidance.
Finally, it is important to understand that tenants must continue to pay rent while waiting for repairs to be done, and they may seek a rent reduction from the court if part of the property is unusable due to lack of repairs or maintenance. Therefore, it is in your best interest as a landlord to ensure that repairs and maintenance are carried out promptly to avoid any unnecessary disputes with your tenants.
