Last reviewed 17 July 2026

Emergency Repairs

Safety comes first. Then document contacts, check the nominated repairer, preserve evidence and verify reimbursement rules before spending money.

Next best actions

Move quickly without losing the thread.

Safety first

Call 000 for immediate danger, fire, violence, serious injury risk or life-threatening hazards. For utility emergencies, use the relevant emergency contact.

Once safe, record what happened, who was contacted and what each person said.

Nominated repairer and lessor contact

Check your agreement or entry condition report for nominated emergency repair contacts. Try the relevant contact and preserve call logs, screenshots, emails and photos.

Reimbursement risk

Emergency repair reimbursement rules are specific. Before arranging work yourself, check current RTA guidance, the nature of the repair, spending limits and evidence requirements.

Evidence to keep

  • Photos or videos taken safely.
  • Call logs and messages.
  • Agreement emergency contact details.
  • Quotes, invoices and receipts.
  • Tradesperson notes.
  • Follow-up emails to the lessor or agent.

Sources and review status

Major statements on this page were reviewed against official sources on 17 July 2026. Use the source links below to confirm current law and process details before acting.

Common questions

Can I arrange emergency repairs myself?

Sometimes a pathway may allow this, but limits and conditions apply. Check current RTA guidance before spending money where possible.

What if the repair is dangerous right now?

Use emergency services or utility emergency contacts first. Tenancy process comes after immediate safety.