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Hot Water Cost

No hot water in a rental: who fixes it

In Victoria and New South Wales a broken hot water system is an urgent repair, with firm rules on timing and cost.

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A hot water system that stops working in a rental is an urgent repair in both Victoria and NSW. The landlord must act straight away. If they don't, the renter can arrange a licensed repair and be paid back, up to a limit.

Urgent hot water repairs in rentals: Victoria and NSW compared
VictoriaNew South Wales
Landlord must act As an urgent repair, immediately As an urgent repair
Renter can spend $2,500 $1,000
Paid back within 7 days 14 days
What a renter can spend arranging the repair

The most a renter can spend on an urgent repair and be repaid, where the landlord has not acted.

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Item Figure
Victoria $2,500
New South Wales $1,000
How long the landlord has to repay the renter

Measured from written notice of the costs, with receipts attached.

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Item Figure
Victoria 7 days
New South Wales 14 days

Victoria

Rental providers must carry out urgent repairs immediately. If they don't respond, the renter can arrange the repair if it costs no more than $2,500, and the rental provider must pay them back within 7 days.

What goes back in is changing too. From 1 March 2027, when a hot water appliance in a Victorian rental breaks and can't be repaired, it has to be replaced with a heat pump water heater. Victoria's 2027 rule explained.

New South Wales

A failed hot water system is listed as an urgent repair. If the tenant cannot reach the landlord or agent, they can use a repairer and be reimbursed up to $1,000. They need to give written notice with the costs and receipts, and the landlord then has 14 days to pay.

What renters should do

  1. Tell the landlord or agent straight away, in writing, and keep a copy.
  2. If they don't respond, use a licensed plumber and keep every receipt.
  3. Send the costs and receipts in writing to claim the money back.

Other states have their own tenancy rules. This is general information, not legal advice. Check with your state's tenancy authority before paying for a repair yourself. If you've just lost hot water, the 48-hour checklist and notice template walks through it step by step.