If you owned a rental, would you bother....

[helle]

Before the settlement of our house we got to go thru and test everything worked before it all went over. If something didn't work it was up to the original owner to have it fixed before settlement.
The old owner def should have to fix.

[sloane]

irregardless of settlement, i thought that hot water was an essential service. until it settles they are still the owner - isn't that the case? if so, they are required to fix it. sounds like they've been forced to sell for financial reasons - in which case they may not have the money to fix it?

okay - just checked the consumers affairs website. hot water is classed as an urgent repair. it also says this:

Information for tenants and residents who require urgent repairs

If you are a tenant or resident, there are a number of steps you can take to have an item repaired:

* Speak with the landlord or owner about whether your repair is urgent or non-urgent.
* If the landlord or owner does not arrange for urgent repairs to be carried out immediately, you can arrange for them to be done for a reasonable cost, up to $1000.
* You may then give the landlord a written notice asking to be repaid the cost of the repairs. The landlord has 14 days from receiving the notice to pay. Keep all receipts and a record of attempts to arrange the urgent repairs.
* If the repairs still have not been done after this time, you can apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), which will hear the matter within two business days. An application to VCAT can also be made if the repairs cost more than $1000. VCAT can order the landlord or owner to arrange the repairs.

ETA - snap dragoncookie!