When to call a plumber
The water is a little murky when it comes to property repairs for tenants and landlords. Whether a property is in good condition or not, if there is an emergency plumbing repair that needs to be attended to, the key is to get the issue sorted before the costs start piling up for damage, repairs, and replacing belongings.
Repairing the pipes, plumbing, unblocking drains, and sorting out issues with plumbing can be a big job, and in the event of a plumbing issue, understanding the rights of the tenant and the landlord is essential.
Often the landlord will cover basic plumbing issues without question, however, if the plumbing was in good repair and the damage was caused by misuse then it is another situation altogether.
Should a tenant pay for plumbing repairs?
The short answer is maybe yes, maybe no. The repairs and who the responsibility falls on comes down to a range of factors including whether the property is safe, meets health and safety codes, and the condition of the fixtures and fittings of the plumbing.
For example, a broken shower, water leaks, broken pipes, clogged drains, and issues with water heaters are the landlord’s area of responsibility and the tenant should not be charged for these repairs in any instance. However, if the damage or repairs are deemed to be due to the misuse of fixtures and fitting by the tenant, then this is another story altogether.
The key for managing who is responsible for repairs is to ensure all parties are aware of what is considered wear and tear to a property and what is considered outside of this scope.
Landlords take care of plumbing, electrical, heating, pest control, and any other area that requires maintenance and repairs to ensure the property is safe. If there are any concerns regarding the responsibilities of owners and tenants, a quick chat with a tenancy lawyer can help to solve any issues.
Tenants and landlords have access to the tenancy agreement to get a clear understanding of the state of the property in the entry report which details every room and section of the property and the condition or state of the property when the lease commenced.
If a tenant damages the property willingly and then vacates the property, the bond can cover some of the repairs, and the landlord can use this to cover any expenses associated with fixing malicious damage.
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