Step 1 – Know Your Rights
You have the legal right to ask your rental provider (landlord or agent) for repairs and maintenance. When renting in SA the rental provider must ensure the place is fit for you to live in and is in good repair. In fact, the Residential Tenancies Act 1995, specifies these rights and responsibilities as well as steps you can take to solve a dispute. Another good video from South Australia’s Consumer and Business Services (CBS) can be found here: https://youtu.be/AL1Xv6_VoDo
Friendly Reminder: You must always continue to pay rent.
Step 2 – Ascertain the type of Repair or Maintenance
What is an emergency/urgent repair?
Although the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 does not specify exact items which are considered an emergency/urgent repair, commonly observed items include:
- a burst water service or a serious water service leak
- a blocked or broken toilet
- 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
- a failure or breakdown of an essential service or appliance on the property for hot water, cooking or heating
- a fault or damage that makes the property unsafe or insecure
- a fault or damage likely to injure a person, damage property or unduly inconvenience a tenant
- a serious fault in a staircase, lift or another common area of the property that unduly inconveniences a tenant in gaining access to, or using, the property.
Need help? Contact us
What is a routine repair?
Is a repair that is not on the list above. (i.e. not an emergency/urgent repair)
Step 3 – Reporting the Repair or Maintenance
- Emergency Repair
When to report:
- Report immediately by calling and then put it in writing using the forms provided. Written notices can be, hand-delivered, by post or by email. We recommend email as this provides electronic confirmation and tracking of the communication with your rental provider.
When must the rental provider act:
- The rental provider must make sure the repair is actioned immediately (or within a reasonable timeframe)
How to report
- TOP TIP: Use the Rent Rabbit Step by Step Guide Below for “Process for Emergency Repair”
- Routine Repair
When to report:
- Report immediately by putting it in writing using the forms provided, we suggest a follow-up phone call. Written notices can be, hand-delivered, by post or by email. We recommend email as this provides electronic confirmation and tracking of the communication with your rental provider.
When must the rental provider act:
- The rental provider must make sure the repair is actioned within 7 days.
How to report
- TOP TIP: Use the Rent Rabbit Step by Step Guide Below for “Process for Routine Repair”
Process for Emergency Repair
| Emergency Repair Process Step 1 – Contact your rental provider | During business hours: Call your rental provider as soon as possible and report the urgent repairs. After hours: You should have been provided with an after-hours contact(s) by your rental provider when you signed your lease (check your lease documentation). Call the phone number provided and report your repair or maintenance request. |
| Step 2 – Use the right documentation | For an Emergency repair use the Consumer and Business Services (CBS) form “Request for Repairs – Section 68 Form”. Email this form as soon as practicable. We suggest you email the form immediately after you contact your rental provider. TIP: Upload the completed document (and any email trail) to your Rent Rabbit profile under TenantVault™ for safe record keeping. |
| Step 3 – Use the Rent Rabbit email template | Located in the “Resources” Section in your Rent Rabbit account |
| Step 3 – Evidence | Take videos and photos as evidence. This may help provide support later if the problem gets worse and repairs are not done. TIP: Upload the completed document (and any email trail) to your Rent Rabbit profile under TenantVault™ for safe record keeping. |
| Step 4 – Timeframe and Response Processes | If your rental provider does not carry out or evidently arranges repairs within 24 hours or refuses, you have two options. Apply to SACAT for: the repairs to be carried out compensation related to losses resulting from the non-repair to end the tenancyOrganise to have urgent problems fixed and give the landlord an invoice from an authorised repairer. A licensed professional must: carry out the repairs and provide a report stating the cause of the problem and the work carried out. |
Process for Routine Repairs
| Step 1 – Contact your rental provider | Repairs should be done: In writing (and can include a follow-up phone call)Include the date of request |
| Step 2 – Use the right documentation | For a routine repair use the Consumer and Business Services (CBS) form “Request for Repairs – Section 68 Form”. Email this form as soon as practicable after noticing the required repair or maintenance. When completing the form, give your rental provider 7 days to fix the repairs. TIP: Upload the completed document (and any email trail) to your Rent Rabbit profile under TenantVault™ for safe record keeping. |
| Step 3 – Use the Rent Rabbit email template | Located in the “Resources” Section in your Rent Rabbit account |
| Step 3 – Evidence | Take videos and photos as evidence. This may help provide support later if the problem gets worse and repairs are not done. TIP: Upload the completed document (and any email trail) to your Rent Rabbit profile under TenantVault™ for safe record keeping. |
| Step 4 (Optional) – Timeframe and Response Processes | If your rental provider does not respond to your initial request, fix the repairs or refuses, we suggest you complete the Consumer and Business Services (CBS) form “Request for Repairs – Section 68 Form”. This time select Option B (that you will be arranging for the repairs to be carried out by a licensed tradesperson. (Make sure to include the original notice in your email). Using our email template for routine repairs no response, this is in the “Resources” Section in your Rent Rabbit account. |
| Step 5 – After 2nd No-Response | If your rental provider does not carry out or evidently arranges repairs within 7 days of your original request or refuses, you have two options. If you are unsure, you can contact SACAT on 1800 723 767 Apply to SACAT for the repairs to be carried out compensation related to losses resulting from the non-repair to end the tenancyOrganise to have urgent problems fixed and give the landlord an invoice from an authorised repairer. A licensed professional must: carry out the repairs and provide a report stating the cause of the problem and the work carried out. |
Step 4 – Introducing RentRabbits TenantVault™
How-to-Guide for Uploading all your documents to Rent Rabbit’s safe file system
TOP TIP: Keep all your rental history in one place!
Rent Rabbit has provided a quick and easy way to keep all your rental documents secure and in one place, no more time wasted searching through your email inbox. You can upload documents such as:
- Tenancy Agreements
- Tenancy repairs and maintenance request correspondence
- Utility bills
- Condition reports
- Bond lodgment
- Repair and maintenance photos
- Application resources
“It’s a great way to keep track of your tenancy history in a platform that’s built by renters for renters.”
Carol M
“When I had issues with repairs getting done, having the document upload and the my resources helped massively. 😊 Thank you, Rent Rabbit!”
Susan B
“Some of us will be renting our whole lives, this platform is definitely built for me. Also, I love their my resources section and help guides”
John F
How-to:
- Login to your RentRabbit profile here.
- Select the TenantVault™ option from your menu.
- Select the “Upload now” button
- Upload all your rental documents for safe keeping.
