A question which comes up occasionally from Landlords relates to broken hot water heaters. The State Government reckons average life of a hot water heater is about 12 years. So, the older a water heater, the more likely a Landlord will eventually get the call from their Tenant or Agent saying that it is broken. The question is then, who pays to fix or repair?
Unless the Tenant has installed the hot water heater, it is considered as part of the Landlord’s plant.
What happens when the system needs to be replaced totally?
Well, if it was working when the Tenant moved in, and provided they have not done something that has contributed to the breakdown, it is fair for the Tenant to continue to be supplied with a working hot water heater. It is then up to the Landlord to replace it. The cost, being a capital cost, cannot be passed on to the Tenant in this situation.
As always if you have any questions, please let me know.
Regards
Steve Evans