Urgent repairs in Queensland: what renters can do
Emergency repairs include: a burst water service or serious leak, blocked or broken toilet, serious roof leak, gas leak, dangerous electrical fault, flooding, serious storm, fire or impact damage, failure of gas, electricity or water supply, no hot water, cooking or heating, anything that makes the home unsafe or insecure (including smoke alarms), and work needed to meet the minimum housing standards.
Your rights in plain English
- Contact the emergency contact named in your agreement (the nominated repairer or agent) straight away. Follow up a phone call by text or email.
- If you can't reach them in a reasonable time, or the repair isn't done in a reasonable time, you can arrange it yourself up to the value of 4 weeks' rent.
- Ask to be paid back in writing with all receipts and allow at least 7 days. If you're not paid, you can apply urgently to QCAT.
Put it in writing, with your rights spelled out
Our free email tool writes the message to your agent for Queensland, quoting your rights. Keep dated photos and a record you can use at the end of your lease.
The email tool is free. The $29 Tenancy Pass adds your condition report and dated record for the whole lease, incl. GST, with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
What your email should say
- This is an emergency repair under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (Qld), and it must be carried out within a reasonable time.
- If it is not done within a reasonable time, I am entitled to arrange it myself up to the value of 4 weeks' rent and to be reimbursed. If I am not reimbursed, I may apply urgently to QCAT.
Where to get help
Residential Tenancies Authority (1300 366 311) · QCAT · Tenants Queensland.
Source: Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (Qld). General information only, not legal advice. Last checked October 2026. Check your state's tenancy authority for your situation.