Question about Rental Repairs on Washer/Dryer

AlexD on 31/07/2016 - 13:19
Last edited 31/07/2016 - 14:38 by 1 other user

Hoping someone can give me a bit of advice on this, because the law is relatively unclear. I live in the ACT.

I rent an apartment through an agent, and it includes a washing machine & dryer combo. About a month ago the device stopped draining, we followed all troubleshooting procedures, and nothing worked, so we reported it by phone & email straight away.

Long story short, we were consistently told it wasn't an "urgent" repair like gas or electricity because we could go somewhere else and do it, while the legislation says otherwise. We finally convinced them to get it sorted ASAP, and repairs are being carried out this week.

In this time, though, I have spent $25/week at my local laundromat, and have done this five times. I don't need the money, but don't want to throw away $125 for the agency not following legislation.

Hoping someone can advise whether or not I'd be within my rights to request a reimbursement for the amount. I have kept all receipts.

Thanks in advance!

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  StewBalls on 01/08/2016 - 07:12

  +2

  I would subtract the amount you have spent from your next rent payment & forward copies of the tax invoices to the agent/landlord along with a brief letter explaining the situation…you are not being unreasonable here IMHO, and I'm a landlord! ;)

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    AlexD on 01/08/2016 - 22:51

    Thank you for the response!

    It's good to know I'm not being unreasonable - I'll bring it up with my property manager. Sadly I can't subtract the amount from my rent, though, as it's direct debited fortnightly.

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  SnoozeAndLose on 01/08/2016 - 07:46

  +1

  Can you point out which part of the legislation say that it is an urgent repair or needed to get fix ASAP instead of in a reasonable amount of time?

  Clearly washing machine(included in the rental) is not an urgent repair which may not get sorted ASAP.

  As this is not an "emergencies" repair it will not get sorted immediately, agent have to communicate with the owner as this is not an emergency item/event, and need to booked in with the electrician or plumber or handy many to fix it, I think there will be at least 2 weeks wait.

  I could also negotiate it with your agent and see if the owner want to reimburse you with the money, if they do you will be happy if you don't you can consider to leave after your contract end or even take up to the Tribunal which will cost you more including time and money.

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    AlexD on 01/08/2016 - 22:45

    Residential Tenancies Act 1997, Clause 60 (Urgent repairs), Section J: "a failure or breakdown of any service on the premises essential for hot water, cooking, heating or laundering". I would certainly consider a washing machine & dryer essential for laundering.

    I didn't say that this was an emergency repair, but under the act, it is listed as an urgent repair. As this is listed as an urgent repair, I would have been within my rights to call a repairman and be reimbursed the cost of the repair up to $1,000. I contacted the agency instead.
    In that time, the washing machine has slowly leaked water from the front due to the height of the water inside, and the lack of ability to use the front water release due to being attached to the ground. This has warped floorboards, and has been documented.

    While I agree that this isn't a matter of life and death, and it may be reasonable to wait a period of time, I find it unreasonable that I have spent around 12 hours, and ~$125 at laundromats over the period of 5 weeks that it's taken to get fixed. For the amount of rent I'm paying, and considering the apartment is 13 months old, I think this is relevant.