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

Yes. The owner has 28 days for general repairs, and 24 hours before you can arrange urgent ones.

Your clock

• Within 7 days: Tell owner
• 28 days: General repairs
• 24 hours: Urgent

The rule in Tasmania

• Tell the owner within 7 days of the need arising.
• General repairs: 28 days (stove element 14). Otherwise ask the Commissioner for an order.
• Urgent (essential service stops): after 24 hours with no action, you can authorise the nominated repairer, or a suitable one if none, only as far as needed.
• If you pay, give the owner the papers. They repay in 14 days.

The Act does not say you can hold back rent.

What to send

I told you on [date] that [problem] needs repair. The time has passed. Please arrange it.

Who to call

• Residential Tenancy Commissioner (Consumer Affairs Tasmania), 1300 654 499
• Magistrates Court of Tasmania (Civil Division), for appeals and orders, (03) 6165 7136
• Tenants' Union of Tasmania, 1300 652 641

Where this comes from

• Residential Tenancy Act 1997 (Tas) ss 32 to 36A

General information, not legal advice on your situation.