Something’s broken at your rental. Who do you call? 

“The heater’s broken. Do I need an electrician? A technician? Is it urgent? Who pays?” 

Rental property maintenance isn’t always as simple as calling a tradie. 

Here’s a simple way to work through it. 

Start with what’s happening 

When a tenant reports an issue, get as much useful information as you can. 

What isn’t working?  

When did it start?  

Is there any visible damage?  

Is there a risk to people or the property?  

Photos or videos can be useful too. 

You don’t need to diagnose the problem yourself. You just need enough information to decide what should happen next. 

Who do you call? 

The right person depends on the problem, and sometimes it isn’t as obvious as it sounds. 

A few common examples: 

• Leaks, blocked drains and hot water problems: usually a plumber. 

• Power, wiring, switches or electrical faults: a registered electrician. 

• Heat pumps: often a heat pump or HVAC technician, although an electrician may be required for some faults. 

• Appliance faults: an appliance repair technician or the manufacturer’s service agent. 

• Locks and security: a locksmith. 

• Roof leaks or damage: potentially a roofer, plumber or other specialist depending on the cause. 

• General repairs: a builder, handyman or specialist trade depending on the work involved. 

For electrical, plumbing, gas and other restricted work, make sure you’re using appropriately qualified and licensed professionals. 

If you’re unsure who you need, explain the problem before booking the job. A good tradesperson will usually be able to tell you whether it falls within their area or point you in the right direction. 

Does it need to be dealt with urgently? 

Some repairs can wait; others shouldn’t. 

Tenancy Services advises that if repairs are urgent and likely to cause injury to people or further damage to the property, they should be completed as soon as reasonably possible. 

Things like a significant water leak, dangerous electrical fault or another issue affecting the immediate safety of the property will naturally require a faster response than a loose cupboard handle. 

The Tenancy Services guidance on damage and repairs is a useful starting point if you’re unsure about your responsibilities. 

And who pays? 

Generally, landlords are responsible for maintaining a rental property in a reasonable state of repair and paying for repairs needed because of normal wear and tear. 

But responsibility can be different if the damage was caused by the tenant. 

Exactly who is liable can depend on how the damage happened, including whether it was accidental or intentional, so it’s worth establishing the cause before assuming who should pay. 

Tenancy Services has a helpful guide explaining responsibility for damage and repairs. 

A good contact list makes life much easier 

You don’t need to have every answer yourself, but it helps to know who does. 

Keep contact details for reliable tradespeople you trust. It’s also worth knowing who offers after-hours services, because rental property problems don’t always arrive conveniently between 9 and 5. 

Prefer to have someone who knows who to call? 

At Comprendé Property Management, we have trusted tradespeople and contractors we can call when something needs attention at the properties we manage. 

We assess the situation, coordinate the right person for the job and manage the process with the tenant. 

Want someone else to handle the “who do I call?” moments?  

Get in touch with the Comprendé team today on 04 384 2141 or email hello@comprende.co.nz.