Blocked toilet in a rental: who pays and who to call
A blocked toilet is an urgent repair in a NSW rental. Who to call first, what a tenant can do if the agent does not answer, and how the cost gets settled.
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Key takeaways
- A blocked or broken toilet is an urgent repair under NSW tenancy law. Tenants should report it to the landlord or agent straight away, by phone and in writing.
- If the tenant cannot reach the landlord or agent, they can book a licensed plumber themselves and have the cost reimbursed up to the limit NSW Fair Trading sets.
- The plumber's written report on what caused the blockage is what landlords, agents and tenants use to settle who pays.
- In Hunter Water's area, if the sewer inspection shaft in the yard is full or overflowing, call Hunter Water on 1300 657 000, because the blockage may be in its pipes.
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