Urgent repairs in Victoria: what renters can do
Urgent repairs include: a burst water service, blocked or broken toilet, serious roof leak, gas leak, dangerous electrical fault, flooding, serious storm or fire damage, no hot water, water, cooking, heating or laundry, failure of gas, electricity or water supply, landlord-supplied cooling not working, a broken safety device (like a smoke alarm), anything that makes the home unsafe or insecure (including mould or damp caused by the building), and the home not meeting the minimum standards.
Your rights in plain English
- Call your agent or landlord straight away (use the emergency number you were given), then confirm it in writing.
- They must act immediately.
- If they don't, you can arrange the repair yourself. They must pay you back reasonable costs up to $2,500 (including GST) within 7 days of your written request with receipts.
- Repairs over $2,500, or a landlord who won't pay: go to Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (free), then VCAT, which can hear urgent repair disputes quickly.
Put it in writing, with your rights spelled out
Our free email tool writes the message to your agent for Victoria, 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 urgent repair under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic), and you are required to carry it out immediately.
- If the repair is not carried out immediately, I am entitled to arrange it myself. You must then reimburse my reasonable costs, up to $2,500, within 7 days of my written request.
Where to get help
Consumer Affairs Victoria (1300 55 81 81) · Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria · VCAT.
Source: Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic). General information only, not legal advice. Last checked October 2026. Check your state's tenancy authority for your situation.