Kitchen and bathroom checks
- Look under sinks for dampness, drips, swelling or musty smells.
- Check taps, shower connections and toilet cisterns for slow leaks.
- Notice whether drains are slower, noisier or smell different.
- Do not flush wipes, grease, sanitary products or unsuitable items.
Hot water and outdoor checks
- Look for water around the hot water unit and pipe connections without touching hot surfaces.
- Keep gutters, grates and stormwater pits clear of leaves and silt where safe.
- Check garden irrigation and outdoor taps for leaks.
- Know where the main water isolation valve is before an emergency.
What should tenants and landlords record?
Keep photos, dates and short descriptions of recurring issues. Tenants should report leaks, loss of hot water and drainage problems through the property manager or owner’s preferred process. Landlords can use recurring reports to identify a repair rather than repeatedly treating symptoms.
When is maintenance worth booking?
Arrange an inspection when a small leak keeps returning, a drain needs repeated clearing, water pressure changes, or an older system shows corrosion or wear. Preventative work cannot guarantee that a failure will not occur, but early attention can make problems easier to manage.