Spouting repair considerations
Question from Jan updated on 6th October 2016:
As a landlord do we have to fix a small leak in the spouting straight away? To fix it we would have to get scaffolding put up. When the house is vacant next we plan to put double glazed windows in and as we would have to put scaffolding up to do this, so we would fix the spouting then. Or do we have to do it straight away?
Our expert Bernard Parker responded:
The question really depends on the effect of the spouting leak. Is it scouring away the land below? Is it near a bedroom window and preventing occupants from sleeping? There can be circumstances where potential damage to the property or noise that tenants find disturbing may warrant immediate attention. That is really the landlord’s decision.
However, in making that decision you would be well advised to consider the tenant. If the repair is not done, is the tenant likely to get disgruntled and leave? There is a cost associated with losing a tenant, finding a new one, and the resulting vacancy in between tenancies.
Bernard is principal of Quinovic – Kapiti-Mana. Quinovic's outstanding people and systems provide the most professional, effective and reliable residential property management service in the NZ market for over 30 years.Search the Ask an Expert archive
Browse all questions in the Ask An Expert Archive »