How we’re prepared for you in the event of an emergency
DECEMBER to April is storm and cyclone season in Mackay and while unexpected emergencies can happen at any time, here’s how we, as property managers, are prepared for you, our property owners and tenants, in regards to repairs in the event of an emergency.
1. Definition of emergency repair
Firstly, what constitutes an emergency repair? An emergency repair is the work needed to fix any of the following:
- a burst water service or a serious water service leak
- a blocked or broken lavatory system
- a serious roof leak
- a gas leak
- a dangerous electrical fault
- flooding or serious flood damage
- serious storm, fire or impact damage
- a failure or breakdown of the gas, electricity or water supply to the premises
- a failure or breakdown of an essential service or appliance on premises for hot water, cooking or heating
- a fault or damage that makes the premises unsafe or insecure
- a fault or damage likely to injure a person, damage property or unduly inconvenience a tenant of the premises
- a serious fault in a staircase, lift or other common area of premises that unduly inconveniences a tenant in gaining access to, or using, the premises.
*Source: Section 214 of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (RTRA Act).
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2. Responsibilities and rights
The way in which a property owner is obligated to respond to damage is the difference between routine and emergency repairs. Emergency repairs must be responded to immediately and as property managers, we do this on behalf of our property owners.
However, property owners have the option to nominate a preferred licensed and qualified contractor to conduct emergency repairs on their behalf and property owners must indicate in the event of emergency repairs whether this nominated contractor is the first point of contact for tenants, in accordance to Section 216 of the RTRA Act.
Where this is the case, tenants must contact the nominated contracts first when the need for emergency repairs arises.
Tenants may only arrange for their own suitably qualified person to attend to the emergency repairs if the tenant has tried to contact the nominated contractor without success or after giving notice and within a reasonable amount of time, the repairs have not been made.
But, it is important to note, tenants cannot incur repair fees greater than two weeks rent under the tenancy agreement, pursuant to Section 219 of the RTRA Act and tenants can ask the property owner to pay the contractor directly or seek reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses.
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3. Our practice
Mackay has experienced a number of natural disasters including floods and cyclones over the years. Therefore it is important to know that as property managers, we are fully aware of your, our property owners and tenants, rights and obligations with regards to emergency repairs.
We implement a separate response system for emergency repairs and follow a set of procedures, which includes contacting the property owner as soon as we are made aware of an emergency repair and keeping tenants informed of the progress, to remedy the defect as quickly as possible.
Where a property manager has not nominated a preferred licensed and qualified contractor, we have a list of preferred contractors that meet the required standards of the agency.
So, this storm and cyclone season, relax knowing at Baileux, we have our property owners and tenants covered.
Benjamin Molineux – licensee and director
Baileux Real Estate
