Responsibility for maintenance
Information for Queensland public housing tenants
Our maintenance responsibility
As the property owner, the Queensland Government is responsible for maintaining your home so it:
- is fit for you to live in
- is in good repair
- complies with health and safety laws.
We complete any maintenance that’s needed because of ‘fair wear and tear’. This is the amount of wear you would expect over time with reasonable use of the property.
We also do planned maintenance and upgrades as part of a program.
Your maintenance responsibility
As the tenant, you are responsible for keeping your property clean and in good condition.
Don’t try to do serious repair work on the property, such as electrical, plumbing or structural work.
Reporting problems
- Report any damage as soon as it happens.
- Report gas, water leaks and electrical faults immediately.
- Report health and safety issues immediately (e.g. unsafe stairs, smoke alarm not working).
- Report any problems with the roof, gutter leaks, dripping taps, etc.
Find out how to request emergency and non-urgent maintenance.
Cleanliness
- Clean ceilings, walls, floors, fixtures and fittings.
- Tidy the garden and mow the grass regularly – we are responsible for looking after common areas. Read more about looking after your yard.
- Remove and dispose of all rubbish.
- Keep the home free of pests.
General items
- Change light bulbs in your home (except common areas, such as stairwells and car parks).
- Maintain items you’ve installed, such as light fittings, dishwashers and floor coverings.
- Maintain non-standard items listed in your tenancy agreement, such as blinds and curtains.
Smoke alarms
- Test smoke alarms every month. (The instructions on how to do this are on your smoke alarm information sticker which is usually located inside your linen cupboard door).
Termites
- Check for termite activity and report it as soon as you see it.
- Don’t put garden beds against house walls, as it can cause structural problems and encourage termites (white ants).
Improvements
- Don’t install improvements or renovate your home without our approval. Read more about home improvements.
Hot water system
- Check the hot water system for leaks. (It’s normal for overflow pipes to drip sometimes, particularly in cooler weather.) Read more about hot water units.
Sewerage
- Don’t flush anything down the toilet except human waste and toilet paper.
- Use only biodegradable products in toilet cisterns and bowls, especially in septic systems. Check the labels.
- Don’t plant trees near sewerage and drainage pipes, or within 3m of the house, as this may cause structural problems to foundations, roof and guttering.
Inspections
- We will regularly inspect your home throughout your tenancy to check on the condition of the property.
Paying for maintenance
You may have to pay for the repairs if the damage was caused:
- deliberately by you, someone living with you, pets or visitors
- through neglect, misuse or wilful damage.
Read more about property damage.