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.
Emergency or urgent repairs are those needed to:
Examples include:
These types of repairs often require immediate action—and clear documentation from the start.
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.
Tenants can arrange emergency repairs if:
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
To ensure a smooth reimbursement:
Tenants should send a written request for reimbursement, attaching receipts and a brief explanation of the emergency.
If payment is delayed, tenants can apply to the relevant tribunal (VCAT in Victoria, NCAT in NSW, QCAT in Queensland) to enforce reimbursement.
Whether you are a tenant or landlord, keep clear records to protect yourself:
This will help if disputes arise or if evidence is needed for insurance or tax purposes.
For landlords, repairs fixing damage from wear and tear can typically be claimed as immediate deductions on your tax return, including:
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.
✅ 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.
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.