Your Guide to Documenting Emergency Repairs for a Smooth Reimbursement

When something goes wrong at home—a burst pipe, a gas leak, or a sudden electrical fault—acting quickly keeps everyone safe. These are called emergency repairs, and while getting them fixed fast is the priority, it’s equally important to ensure you can recover your costs if eligible, whether you’re a tenant or a homeowner.

Here’s what both tenants and homeowners need to know to document emergency repairs properly, avoid disputes, and protect your finances.

What Counts as an Emergency Repair?

Emergency or urgent repairs are those needed to:

• Keep the property safe and secure
• Prevent further damage
• Restore essential services like water, electricity, or gas

Examples include:

• Burst water pipes
• Blocked or broken toilets (if it’s the only one)
• Serious roof leaks
• Gas leaks
• Dangerous electrical faults

These types of repairs often require immediate action—and clear documentation from the start.

Responsibilities as a Homeowner or Landlord

If you manage your property, organise repairs quickly by hiring licensed professionals. Delays can cause more damage and higher costs.

If you have tenants:

✅ Respond promptly to repair requests
✅ Keep records of the request date, details, and your actions
✅ Retain receipts and invoices from licensed tradespeople

Hiring qualified professionals on ServiceSeeking makes it easy to find reliable, licensed tradies, ensuring clear documentation for tax or reimbursement purposes.

When Tenants Can Organise Emergency Repairs

Tenants can arrange emergency repairs if:

• They cannot reach the landlord after trying
• The landlord fails to address the repair
• The issue risks further damage or affects safety

Each state has a spending limit for tenants to claim reimbursement. For example, in Victoria, tenants can spend up to $2,500 on urgent repairs and claim reimbursement, while in NSW the limit is $1,000. Other states and territories have different processes and may not specify a fixed dollar limit.

Tenants must:

✅ Notify the landlord about the issue and attempts to contact them
✅ Use licensed, qualified tradespeople
✅ Keep receipts and request reimbursement in writing

The Reimbursement Process

To ensure a smooth reimbursement:

Request in Writing

Tenants should send a written request for reimbursement, attaching receipts and a brief explanation of the emergency.

Timeframes for Reimbursement

• Victoria: 7 days to reimburse
• NSW: 14 days to reimburse
• Other states/territories: Vary, but landlords must generally reimburse within a reasonable time once receipts and written notice are provided.

If payment is delayed, tenants can apply to the relevant tribunal (VCAT in Victoria, NCAT in NSW, QCAT in Queensland) to enforce reimbursement.

Documentation to Keep

Whether you are a tenant or landlord, keep clear records to protect yourself:

• Photos of the damage before and after repair
• Communication records (texts, emails)
• Receipts and itemised invoices
• Details of the tradesperson (license, ABN)

This will help if disputes arise or if evidence is needed for insurance or tax purposes.

Repairs, Maintenance, and Tax Implications

For landlords, repairs fixing damage from wear and tear can typically be claimed as immediate deductions on your tax return, including:

• Fixing leaking pipes
• Replacing broken window panes
• Repairing damaged fences

However, replacements of entire fixtures or upgrades are considered capital improvements and are claimed over time.

Always keep itemised invoices separating repairs from improvements to simplify your tax claims.

Tips for Tenants and Homeowners

✅ Act quickly on emergency repairs to prevent further damage.
✅ Keep clear, dated records and receipts.
✅ Know your state’s reimbursement limits and timeframes.
✅ Use licensed tradespeople for all emergency repairs.
✅ Seek professional help through ServiceSeeking when required, ensuring documentation for your records.

Need Emergency Repairs?

Whether you’re a tenant handling urgent repairs or a landlord managing your property, getting repairs done promptly and properly protects your safety, your property, and your finances.

Find licensed plumbers, electricians, and roofers for emergency repairs on ServiceSeeking, compare quotes, and get the job done right the first time.