Rental Property Plumbing.Done Right.

Rental plumbing

Landlords have duties to keep a property in working order. Plumbing problems like no hot water, a blocked toilet or a leak need quick attention.

What we do

Repairs are done and reported so owners and agents know what was done and why.

Looking after the property

Regular checks of taps, toilets, hot water and drains help avoid emergency call-outs.

For landlords and agents

Plumbing faults are among the most common maintenance requests in a rental. Quick, clear handling keeps tenants happy and protects the property.

Urgent repairs

Burst pipes, blocked toilets, gas leaks and hot water failure can be urgent in a rental. We respond to urgent calls at any hour.

Routine work

Dripping taps, running toilets, slow drains, hot water servicing and gas heater checks. Keep any job notes and invoices for your records.

Working with property managers

We can work to your approval limits and reporting needs, coordinate access with tenants and send invoices that match your systems.

Compliance

Gas and hot water work must be done by licensed trades. Certificates are required for some work.

What a landlord and a tenant each deal with

Rental plumbing often stalls because nobody is sure who calls the plumber. In Victoria the rules about rental repairs sit with Consumer Affairs Victoria, and its pages explain what counts as an urgent repair and what a renter can do. As a general guide, the fixed plumbing in the property, such as pipes, the hot water system and the toilet, is the rental provider's responsibility, and damage a tenant causes is a separate matter. Check the current rules on the Consumer Affairs Victoria website before you argue about who pays.

If you are the renter, report the fault in writing as soon as you see it and keep a copy. Photos with dates help. If you are the owner or agent, a fast, clear reply with a booking time prevents a small leak turning into a damaged floor and a dispute.

Information that makes a rental job go smoothly

A plumber who has never seen the property needs a few facts before arriving. Who will let us in, and when? Is the tenant at home? Are there pets? Where is the main water tap and is it stiff? Which fixture is the fault, and what does it do and when? A short message with a photo of the leak, the hot water system label or the blocked drain usually saves a return visit.

Agents managing several properties often find it useful to keep one note per property listing the hot water system type, age and location, and the position of the meter and isolation valves.

Repair or replace in a rental

A rental provider has to keep the home in working order, but that does not always mean replacing a fixture. A leaking tap washer, a worn cistern valve or a loose connection can often be repaired. A hot water system that has failed repeatedly, a corroded pipe or a drain that keeps backing up is a different conversation. Ask for the options in writing, including what a repair will fix and what it will not, so the owner can make an informed choice.

When replacement is the better choice, a fixture that suits rental use is usually simple, common and easy to find parts for. Unusual designer fittings can be slow to repair when the tenant needs water again.

Records that protect owners and agents

Keep the quote, the invoice and any compliance paperwork together with the property file. Note the date of the fault report, the date the plumber attended and what was done. If an insurer or a tribunal ever asks what happened, those dates and photos answer most of the questions.

Water damage and insurance

If a leak damages carpet, cabinets or a ceiling, the owner's landlord insurance and the renter's contents insurance may each be involved, depending on what was damaged. Photos taken before any clean-up, the date the fault was reported and the plumber's findings make a claim easier. Avoid throwing out damaged items until the insurer has said whether it wants to see them.

Rental plumbing: urgent and non-urgent repairs

Consumer Affairs Victoria says rental providers must make urgent repairs immediately and non-urgent repairs within 14 days of a written request. The urgent list includes a burst water service, a blocked or broken toilet system and a serious roof leak. The full list and steps are on the Consumer Affairs Victoria repairs page. Plumbers can attend, but who pays and who instructs is between the parties.

Routine plumbing for rentals

Dripping taps, running toilets, slow drains, hot water servicing and gas heater checks are routine. Keep job notes and invoices for each property. Regular checks between tenancies find small faults before they become urgent. Our maintenance plumbing page covers what a visit includes.

Records that protect both sides

Keep dates of reports, photos, invoices and replies. Written records help if there is a dispute about urgent repairs or the cause of damage.

Tenants should report faults in writing. Rental providers should keep a log.

Hot water, heating and gas in a rental

These services are often essential. Report failures promptly and ask for gas heaters to be checked. Rental rules change, so check Consumer Affairs Victoria for the current requirements.

A plumber can inspect and report. Who pays is a matter between the parties and the rules.

For tenants: how to report a plumbing fault

Report in writing by email or the agent's portal. Say what the fault is, when it started, what you have done, and attach photos. Say whether you think it is urgent and why. Keep a copy.

Consumer Affairs Victoria's repairs page explains the steps for urgent and non-urgent repairs and what you can do if repairs are not made.

Guides worth reading

• Plumbing Tips for Landlords and Property Managers

Related plumbing services

• Maintenance Plumbing: Regular plumbing checks and small repairs that stop big failures.
• Commercial Plumbing: Plumbing for shops, offices, cafes and other commercial sites.
• Emergency plumbing is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Talk to GSA Plumbing Services

Call 0401 041 103 or send an enquiry on the contact page. We work across Geelong, Melbourne and surrounding suburbs.