What repairs does my landlord have to fix in the Northern Territory?
Yes, your landlord must fix both urgent and routine repairs to ensure your rental property is habitable and safe in the Northern Territory. This includes fixing supplied appliances, structural issues, and essential services like plumbing, provided you did not cause the damage.
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How it works in practice
General Repair Responsibilities
In the Northern Territory, your landlord is legally responsible for maintaining the rental property in a reasonable state of repair. This means they must ensure the home is safe, secure, and fit to live in from the day you move in until your tenancy ends.
They are required to fix any structural issues, faults with essential services like plumbing and electricity, and any appliances or fixtures that were supplied as part of the tenancy agreement.
Urgent vs Routine Repairs
Repairs are generally categorized into urgent and routine issues. Urgent repairs include critical emergencies like a burst water service, a dangerous electrical fault, a gas leak, or a severe roof leak. Landlords must address these emergency situations immediately to ensure your safety.
Routine repairs cover non-emergency maintenance, such as a broken cupboard hinge or a faulty exhaust fan. While not required immediately, landlords must still fix these within a reasonable timeframe after you notify them in writing. You must continue to pay your rent while waiting for either type of repair to be completed.
Important exceptions
There are specific situations where the landlord is not financially responsible for fixing an issue. If you, your guests, or your pets intentionally or accidentally cause damage to the property, you are legally required to pay for those repairs.
Additionally, landlords are not responsible for fixing items or appliances that you own and brought into the property yourself. They are also not expected to repair minor, everyday wear and tear or cosmetic issues that do not affect the livability, safety, or security of the rental home. You must always report damage, even if you caused it.
What you should do now
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Document the issue immediately by taking clear photos or videos of the damage or fault.
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Notify your landlord or property manager in writing, outlining exactly what needs to be repaired.
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Allow the landlord or a designated tradesperson reasonable access to the property to assess and fix the problem.
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Keep a written record of all communications, including the date you sent the repair request and any responses.
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Contact NT Consumer Affairs for advice or to lodge a formal dispute if the landlord ignores your written request.
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