Renters' Repair Rights in Western Australia

Living in Western Australia as a renter, it's crucial to know your rights and responsibilities regarding repairs and maintenance in your rental property. Ensuring that your living space is safe and habitable is a paramount concern, and understanding how to handle these issues can make the process smoother.

Understanding Repair Obligations

Both tenants and landlords have responsibilities under the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (WA). Landlords must provide and maintain the premises in a reasonable state of repair. As a tenant, you're required to notify your landlord of repair needs promptly. This includes both non-urgent and urgent repairs.

Urgent Repairs in Western Australia

Urgent repairs are those necessary to avoid a hazardous situation, such as a gas leak or electrical faults. You should contact your landlord immediately in these situations. If the landlord cannot be reached and the repair is necessary, you may arrange it yourself up to a certain amount.

Non-Urgent Repairs Process

For non-urgent repairs, inform your landlord in writing and allow a reasonable time for the repairs to be addressed. If the landlord fails to respond, you may need to apply to the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) to resolve the issue.

Using Official Forms

• Use the Notice to Lessor of Breach of Agreement form to notify your landlord of non-urgent repair issues. This form can be found on the Consumer Protection WA website.

Important Legislation

It’s essential to be familiar with the Fair Trading Act 1987 (Cth), which provides additional protections to tenants regarding service provisions and consumer rights.

Always ensure you keep records of all communications and repairs undertaken to safeguard your rights as a tenant.

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