Repairs & Maintenance Responsibilities for WA Renters

For renters in Western Australia (WA), understanding your rights and responsibilities regarding repairs and maintenance can help ensure a smooth and stress-free living experience. Whether it's general maintenance or urgent issues, knowing the steps to take is crucial.

Understanding Repairs and Maintenance

In WA, both tenants and landlords have specific duties regarding the upkeep of the rental property. The Residential Tenancies Act 1987 outlines these obligations in detail.

Tenant Responsibilities

• Keep premises reasonably clean and tidy.
• Notify the landlord of any damage or need for repairs promptly.

Landlord Responsibilities

• Ensure the property is maintained in a reasonable state of repair.
• Fix any damage or faults reported by the tenant within a reasonable time.

Handling Urgent Repairs

Certain issues are considered urgent and require immediate attention. These include:

• A burst water service or serious water leak
• Broken or unsafe electrical circuit or gas leak
• Serious storm or fire damage

If you face an urgent repair, contact your landlord immediately. Your landlord is obligated to address urgent repairs with priority.

Requesting Repairs

To formally request a repair, you should fill out a Notice to Remedy Breach form, obtainable from Consumer Protection WA's website. Submit this form to your landlord if they have not responded to your repair request.

Involving the Magistrates Court

If a landlord fails to carry out repairs, renters in WA can apply to the Magistrates Court for resolution. The court can order the landlord to complete necessary repairs.

Facing Maintenance Issues?

Navigate repairs and maintenance confidently as a tenant in WA with these resources and steps. By understanding your rights and using available forms and resources, you can effectively manage your tenancy.

1. Determine if the repair is urgent or general.
2. Notify your landlord in writing of the issue.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Consumer Protection WA - For tenant rights and responsibilities.
• Magistrates Court of WA - To apply for orders related to repairs.
• Tenancy WA - Offers legal advice and tenant advocacy.

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1. What should I do if my landlord refuses to make repairs?

   You can issue a Notice to Remedy Breach form and, if unresolved, apply to the Magistrates Court for assistance.

2. How do I know if a repair is urgent?

   Urgent repairs include serious water leaks, electrical faults, and damage impacting your safety or the property's integrity.

3. Can I arrange for repairs and deduct the cost from my rent?

   Generally, you must seek landlord consent before deducting repair costs from rent, except in specific urgent cases as agreed beforehand.

1. How to file a repair request in Western Australia
   1. Identify the issue and determine urgency.
   2. Contact your landlord in writing with your repair request.
   3. Submit a Notice to Remedy Breach if the landlord doesn't respond in a reasonable timeframe.

• Timely communication and proper documentation are crucial for successful repair requests.
• Know your rights under the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 and seek professional advice if needed.

By staying informed and proactive, tenants can effectively manage their tenancy agreements and secure a comfortable living environment.

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