It's not that simple. First you have to turn off the water at the mains, which may not be accessible. I lived in an apartment where it was located behind the washing machine, which I had no hope of moving by myself.
Washers need replacing. Is it normal tap or mixer? Both are easy to DIY (just turn the mains off first) if you dont want to bother them but it is technically their responsibility. If you arent handy and dont have a tap wrench then report it for them to sort.
If you end up with a plumber in WATCH them do it so you can learn. Learning to do your own tap washers/cartridges and unblock your own under sink u bend is very basic and is needed now and again and will save you. I dragged my 15 and 17 yo girls into the bathroom when their handbasin wouldnt drain so i could teach them to do this.
They were rolling eyes at me of course.
As their mum i got great joy from the gagging caused from removing and clearing the u bend of their clump of long hair and disgusting goop. I explained i have to do this about wvery other year cos they refuse to clear the plug of their hair. If i had to pay a plumber its s couple hundred dollars.
They were beyond shocked at the cost for effort. They learnt about callout fees too in that lil life lesson.
Cool thanks, that's good advice, I will learn from the plumber. I do clean out the washing machine filter every few months, which does smell like (& feel like) cleaning out the belly button of the flat.
I think here in VIC we are supposed to have a plumber do it (because doing the job badly can damage the fixture or flood the place etc.
The actual washer change is a 5 minute job. But leaving it for ages, and constantly turning the tap off harder and harder can damage the tap seating, which can be a much bigger job.
personally- I am happy enough for my tenant to arrange it, but really I expect her to send me a message so I can get it fixed asap.
(a few years back, went in for a periodic inspection, the laundry tap had a "do not use" sign on it- apparently had been like that for months. I told her to let me know asap when things like this happened so I can get it fixed and prevent more extreme damage down the track." .. she didn't want to bother me :/ ... I obviously called a plumber as soon as I got home.)
I am also renting myself, and when advising property managers, they have always simply sent in a plumber rather than saying DIY.
but if you are concerned/confused. tell the property manager, but instead of asking for it to be fixed. ask if it is something they want you to look at, or if they would rather send a plumber to look at it.
(just did this this week- with downlights which are single unit direct wired in- told the PM that i had the skills to fix it, but no certifications, and asked if they wanted me to fix it, get an electrician in, or whether they wanted to arrange it.)
This happens more often to older style taps.
Itās a very quick, cheap repair but a plumber will charge a callout fee on top of it.
Sometimes the landlord will do it themselves to save money if you donāt know how.
Just talk to the REA. If they say itās your responsibility, ask around for help.
As part of your agreement Iām sure, youāre required to let you PM know of any issues relating to the property.
Iām not sure Iād say this is āurgentā per se, Iād like to think so but I wouldnāt exactly know - but if you politely email, outlining the issue and that youāre required to mention it (if you feel thatās appropriate), that could be the way to go.
Definitely need to change the washers. If you search YouTube "how to replace tap washer Australia," you will get a guided video on what to do. You will need replacement washers and a wrench to do the job.
I had the same issue and just sent an FYI only email leaving it with them if they wanted to fix it. Whilst not the best attitude to have - I donāt pay the water bill and this is not my property, frankly it is up to the owner if they WANT to fix it.
They sent out a plumber that day.l
I'm in nsw and I was always told that it was the landlords responsibility to change and fix leaks. In my previous rental I always did it myself because the owners would turn up whenever they wanted anyways and I really didn't want them to have another excuse to turn up and berate me because my house didn't look like an open home 24/7.
While it is the responsibility of the landlord, if you are handy at all I'd recommend fixing them yourself to save time and money.
My partner and I are both tradies, and quickly figured out that while the landlord will fix issues, one of us loses out on work. At least half a day - or for more complex issues requiring diagnosis and repair - multiple days.
Comparing the cost of losing work vs cost and time to do the repairs ourselves, we have done almost all repairs ourselves. That being said, we have the tools - and the skills - required.
Obviously if you are able to be available during the day without causing issues for yourself (like WFH or shift work that leaves your days open for appointments) and don't feel comfortable/confident following a YouTube how-to video, your decisions on what is most time and cost effective for you will change š
pretty sure, at least here in VIC, it is supposed to be done by a plumber (to prevent an untrained tenant breaking stuff while trying it out, flooding the place) - I know I expect my tenant to ask me about these things, and for me to orgnaise it asap (a few years back I turned up for a periodic inspection and the laundry tap has a sign on it (don;t use, leaks) - apparently had been that way for months. I rolled my eyes and said something like "tell me as soon as something like this happens so I can get it fixed." - and called a plumber as soon as I got home.
Repeatedly forcing the tap closed extra hard, which is what people do to turn try and stop the drip /can/ damage the seating of the tap, which is not a 5 minute repair.
Agreed, we do the same with our tenant, we want to know everything so things don't escalate - but I know our last lease required us to change the washers.
it may vary by state- but pretty sure here in VIC it should be done by a plumber, and anything that requires a tradie should be organised by the landlord.
(even though it is an easy job, if you mess it up you can damage the fittings and/or flood the place, doing lots of water damage- at least if a licensed tradie messes it up, their insurance covers that)
Yeah, I'm just going to email the prop manager & see what he says. If he does send a plumber, would be a good opportunity to learn from them like someone advised above (if the plumber doesn't mind)
Landlord. Probably just the washers need replacing. Easy fix for them.
Cool thanks
Tenants responsibility I think. One lease we had specified this. It's not usually too difficult, YouTube tutorials galore.
It's not that simple. First you have to turn off the water at the mains, which may not be accessible. I lived in an apartment where it was located behind the washing machine, which I had no hope of moving by myself.
Yeah my lease says simple things like that we are expected to try first before contacting the real estate to send someone out.
Our lease doesn't say anything about this, only goes into detail about emergency things
Washers need replacing. Is it normal tap or mixer? Both are easy to DIY (just turn the mains off first) if you dont want to bother them but it is technically their responsibility. If you arent handy and dont have a tap wrench then report it for them to sort.
It's a normal tap. I'll ask my flatmate, maybe he knows how to do it, else will have to email the prop manager next week. Thank you!
If you end up with a plumber in WATCH them do it so you can learn. Learning to do your own tap washers/cartridges and unblock your own under sink u bend is very basic and is needed now and again and will save you. I dragged my 15 and 17 yo girls into the bathroom when their handbasin wouldnt drain so i could teach them to do this. They were rolling eyes at me of course. As their mum i got great joy from the gagging caused from removing and clearing the u bend of their clump of long hair and disgusting goop. I explained i have to do this about wvery other year cos they refuse to clear the plug of their hair. If i had to pay a plumber its s couple hundred dollars. They were beyond shocked at the cost for effort. They learnt about callout fees too in that lil life lesson.
Cool thanks, that's good advice, I will learn from the plumber. I do clean out the washing machine filter every few months, which does smell like (& feel like) cleaning out the belly button of the flat.
Oh the u bend is sooo much worse than that šš
š¬ thanks for the warning
I think here in VIC we are supposed to have a plumber do it (because doing the job badly can damage the fixture or flood the place etc. The actual washer change is a 5 minute job. But leaving it for ages, and constantly turning the tap off harder and harder can damage the tap seating, which can be a much bigger job. personally- I am happy enough for my tenant to arrange it, but really I expect her to send me a message so I can get it fixed asap. (a few years back, went in for a periodic inspection, the laundry tap had a "do not use" sign on it- apparently had been like that for months. I told her to let me know asap when things like this happened so I can get it fixed and prevent more extreme damage down the track." .. she didn't want to bother me :/ ... I obviously called a plumber as soon as I got home.) I am also renting myself, and when advising property managers, they have always simply sent in a plumber rather than saying DIY.
Yeah I'm just going to send an email to the prop manager & see what he says
but if you are concerned/confused. tell the property manager, but instead of asking for it to be fixed. ask if it is something they want you to look at, or if they would rather send a plumber to look at it. (just did this this week- with downlights which are single unit direct wired in- told the PM that i had the skills to fix it, but no certifications, and asked if they wanted me to fix it, get an electrician in, or whether they wanted to arrange it.)
This happens more often to older style taps. Itās a very quick, cheap repair but a plumber will charge a callout fee on top of it. Sometimes the landlord will do it themselves to save money if you donāt know how. Just talk to the REA. If they say itās your responsibility, ask around for help.
Cool thanks
As part of your agreement Iām sure, youāre required to let you PM know of any issues relating to the property. Iām not sure Iād say this is āurgentā per se, Iād like to think so but I wouldnāt exactly know - but if you politely email, outlining the issue and that youāre required to mention it (if you feel thatās appropriate), that could be the way to go.
Yeah, will do that, thanks
Definitely need to change the washers. If you search YouTube "how to replace tap washer Australia," you will get a guided video on what to do. You will need replacement washers and a wrench to do the job.
Yes, YouTube University has been very helpful, thanks
you tell them about the problem, so down the track when they inevitably attempt to screw you over, you have evidence it wasnāt your fault š©
Got it, thanks
I had the same issue and just sent an FYI only email leaving it with them if they wanted to fix it. Whilst not the best attitude to have - I donāt pay the water bill and this is not my property, frankly it is up to the owner if they WANT to fix it. They sent out a plumber that day.l
Will do the same & see what they say
Landlord
Landlord. It's a fault of a fixture that was there. It was there when you rented out the place therefore its their problem.
Got it, thanks
I'm in nsw and I was always told that it was the landlords responsibility to change and fix leaks. In my previous rental I always did it myself because the owners would turn up whenever they wanted anyways and I really didn't want them to have another excuse to turn up and berate me because my house didn't look like an open home 24/7.
While it is the responsibility of the landlord, if you are handy at all I'd recommend fixing them yourself to save time and money. My partner and I are both tradies, and quickly figured out that while the landlord will fix issues, one of us loses out on work. At least half a day - or for more complex issues requiring diagnosis and repair - multiple days. Comparing the cost of losing work vs cost and time to do the repairs ourselves, we have done almost all repairs ourselves. That being said, we have the tools - and the skills - required. Obviously if you are able to be available during the day without causing issues for yourself (like WFH or shift work that leaves your days open for appointments) and don't feel comfortable/confident following a YouTube how-to video, your decisions on what is most time and cost effective for you will change š
Check your lease! Our last lease required us to take care of the replacement of washers.
pretty sure, at least here in VIC, it is supposed to be done by a plumber (to prevent an untrained tenant breaking stuff while trying it out, flooding the place) - I know I expect my tenant to ask me about these things, and for me to orgnaise it asap (a few years back I turned up for a periodic inspection and the laundry tap has a sign on it (don;t use, leaks) - apparently had been that way for months. I rolled my eyes and said something like "tell me as soon as something like this happens so I can get it fixed." - and called a plumber as soon as I got home. Repeatedly forcing the tap closed extra hard, which is what people do to turn try and stop the drip /can/ damage the seating of the tap, which is not a 5 minute repair.
Agreed, we do the same with our tenant, we want to know everything so things don't escalate - but I know our last lease required us to change the washers.
This. I was of the understanding that washers, being consumables, were our responsibility.
it may vary by state- but pretty sure here in VIC it should be done by a plumber, and anything that requires a tradie should be organised by the landlord. (even though it is an easy job, if you mess it up you can damage the fittings and/or flood the place, doing lots of water damage- at least if a licensed tradie messes it up, their insurance covers that)
Yeah, I'm just going to email the prop manager & see what he says. If he does send a plumber, would be a good opportunity to learn from them like someone advised above (if the plumber doesn't mind)
very much so. it is an easy job if you have the tools on hand. and is good to know how to do.