Maintenance Guide for Tenants

2. RIGHTS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Landlord must:
• Provide the premises ‘reasonably’
clean and fit to live in. You are
provided a Condition Report at the
beginning of your tenancy. It will be
noted on this if there are any signs
of mould and dampness
• Keep the premises in ‘reasonable’
repair (except where the disrepair is
caused by the tenant breaching the
tenancy agreement)
• Mitigate loss, eg. promptly fixing
damage to a bathroom wall before
mould growth can set in
The Tenant must:
• Keep the premises ‘reasonably’ clean
and provide adequate ventilation.
• Tell the landlord about any damage
to the premises as soon as possible
Who is responsible?
Deciding who is responsible for
cleaning mould depends on how it
appeared in the first place.
Generally, if the mould is a result of
problems with the property (e.g. a
leaking roof) it is the property
manager/owner’s responsibility to
clean the mould and make any
necessary repairs.
If the tenant causes the mould, they
are responsible for cleaning it and
paying for any damage caused.
• Mitigate loss – take reasonable steps
to limit or avoid loss eg. avoiding
damage to their clothes by removing
them from a built-in wardrobe where
mould is growing.
Example. If the tenant allows steam
to build up in the bathroom without
property ventilation and/or regular
cleaning, resulting in mould
4