NSW Can a property manager go to tenant's place to change light bulb in Sydney?

Discussion in 'Property Management' started by htopg, 23rd Jul, 2021.

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  1. htopg

    htopg Well-Known Member

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    Greater Sydney is in lock down at the moment.
    The light bulbs in the living room, bedroom and bathroom in my friend's rental property went broken and the tenant asked someone to change the light bulbs.
    Since this is a simple job, calling an electrician would be too expensive.
    Is it ok for the property manager (who lives in another LGA, 20km away from the rental property) to visit and change the light bulbs for the tenants?
     
    htopg, 23rd Jul, 2021
    #1
  2. Terry_w

    Terry_w Lawyer, Tax Adviser and Mortgage broker in Sydney Business Member

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    light bulbs are a tenants responsibility
     
    Terry_w, 23rd Jul, 2021
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  3. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    Doesn't fit their insurance, doesn't have a ladder, will need to buy globes, hasn't been trained, don't have a SWMS for the work, has a charge-out rate similar to a sparky.

    Why aren't they using a handyperson? (it is really the tenant's responsibility).
     
    Scott No Mates, 23rd Jul, 2021
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  4. htopg

    htopg Well-Known Member

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    Maybe the question should be:
    Can the property manager's handyman mate replace the bulbs for the tenant despite of lock down?
    Then the charge will be minimal/none.
     
    htopg, 23rd Jul, 2021
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  5. htopg

    htopg Well-Known Member

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    True.
    On the other hand, my friend is kind enough to bear the cost to replace the bulbs for the tenants.
     
    htopg, 23rd Jul, 2021
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  6. ItsComplex

    ItsComplex Well-Known Member

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    The start of a slippery slope?
     
    ItsComplex, 24th Jul, 2021
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  7. ParraEels

    ParraEels Well-Known Member

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    Is changing the light bulb considered as emergency work (similar to sewer leak, roof leak, structural failure etc etc).

    I guess the answer is no. So handyman or any other professional may not be allowed. Why would you risk yourself for a further legal matters. What is your handyman spread COVID to the occupier of the property.
     
    ParraEels, 24th Jul, 2021
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  8. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    If it's not essential or dangerous, then it's gotta wait.

    If one downlight has blown but the other one/s are working or there's borrowed light or they can move a plug-in lamp, it's not essential.
     
    Scott No Mates, 24th Jul, 2021
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  9. Terry_w

    Terry_w Lawyer, Tax Adviser and Mortgage broker in Sydney Business Member

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    Why on earth would your friend do that. Do they mow the grass and do the tenants washing too?
     
    Terry_w, 24th Jul, 2021
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  10. Terry_w

    Terry_w Lawyer, Tax Adviser and Mortgage broker in Sydney Business Member

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    No
     
    Terry_w, 24th Jul, 2021
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  11. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    @datto would help out other than being in Blacktown LGA. :D
     
    Scott No Mates, 24th Jul, 2021
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  12. Westminster

    Westminster Tigress at Tiger Developments Business Member

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    Why have the lightbulbs in all 3 rooms gone at once? It may well be an electrical problem not a light bulb issue
     
    Westminster, 24th Jul, 2021
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  13. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    Having a light bulb moment :p
     
    Scott No Mates, 24th Jul, 2021
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  14. datto

    datto Well-Known Member

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    If they were 500 watt grow lights that were blown, then it would an absolute emergency. Get the friend to slap a blue light* on the dash of the car to get to the IP as fast as possible lol. Phew!


    *Check with local authorities first.
     
    datto, 24th Jul, 2021
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  15. htopg

    htopg Well-Known Member

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    The tenant has agreed that this can be attended to after lock down.
     
    htopg, 25th Jul, 2021
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