Maintenance and repairs

Last Updated: 24 August 2026

Prompt communication and written records help resolve maintenance issues. Legal responsibility varies by jurisdiction and the tenancy agreement.

Owner responsibilities

Owners generally maintain the property and supplied fixtures in a safe, habitable and reasonably maintained condition, subject to local requirements.

Tenant responsibilities

Tenants should keep the property reasonably clean, use it with reasonable care and report damage or faults promptly. They may be responsible for loss caused by their actions where local law permits.

Urgent issues

For an immediate risk to people or property, follow the emergency process in the agreement and local law. Keep evidence of attempts to contact the other party and of reasonable repair costs.

Local rules prevail

Do not rely on this general guidance as legal advice. For example, New Zealand-specific damage and repair rules apply only to tenancies governed by New Zealand law. Obtain local advice for the property concerned.

The information contained in this article is exclusively for promotional purposes. It does not in any way constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as the basis for any legal action or contractual dealings. The information is not and does not attempt to be, a comprehensive account of the relevant law in . If you require legal advice, you should seek independent legal counsel. FAB Property Group does not accept any liability that may arise from the use of this information.