My landlord won't fix it in the ACT. What can I do?

Yes. For urgent repairs the landlord must act, and you can arrange them up to 5% of a year's rent.

Your clock

• 4 weeks: Other repairs
• As soon as necessary: Urgent
• 5% of a year's rent: Your limit

The rule in the ACT

• Other repairs: within 4 weeks.
• Urgent includes a burst pipe, gas leak, electrical fault, no power, gas or water, a broken toilet or a serious roof leak.
• If the landlord is unreachable or slow, use their nominated or a qualified tradesperson. The landlord pays.

Follow the steps exactly, or you may pay the bill yourself.

What to send

I told you on [date] that [problem] needs urgent repair. I will use a qualified tradesperson.

Who to call

• Access Canberra (Office of Rental Bonds), 13 22 81
• ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT), (02) 6207 1740
• Legal Aid ACT Tenancy Advice Service, 1300 402 512

Where this comes from

• Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (ACT) Sch 1 cl 55 to 62

General information, not legal advice on your situation.