‘There's still good people out there’: Landlord act surprises Aussie renters

A Melbourne renter has shared an picture of their landlord’s surprising act after their hot water system suddenly died earlier this month

A Melbourne renter has shared a landlord’s surprising response to their property repair request.

The renter posted about their “amazing interaction” with their landlord on Reddit, after their hot water system stopped working suddenly.

“Our hot water system went bust the Friday before Cup Day [Tuesday November 7] and we had to call our property manager at around 7pm that night,” they wrote.

“She contacted the owner and got back to us within 20 minutes apologising profusely and advising that no one was able to come fix it until Monday.”

The renters were forced to shower at family member’s and friend’s houses, before the hot water system got fixed the following Monday.

Three weeks after the issue got fixed, the landlord stopped by the renters place with a gift in hand.

‘Sorry for the hot water inconvenience!’ the landlord wrote. Picture: @arwork/Reddit

“We’ve been at this unit for over two years now and just met them for the first time,” the renter wrote.

“They handed us this bag and we’ve been elated since.”

The landlord gifted the renters a bottle of red wine with a note saying: “Sorry for the hot water inconvenience!”

“We’re still in disbelief how thoughtful it was of them,” the renters shared, “There;s still good people out there.”

The landlord;s act has sparked a debate on Reddit, with some users in awe and others questioning if it was indeed a “kind gesture”.

“It’s nice to hear some good landlord stories sometimes,” one person wrote.

“I manage a bottle shop and that’s a great wine, not just some cheap bottom shelf stuff,” a user approved of the landlord’s gift.

The renter received a bottle of wine. Picture: @arwork/Reddit

“That’s a nice gesture,” chimed in another.

Others were quick to point out the hot water issue should have been fixed immediately, without the delay.

“Bro what? You had three days without hot water and he gives you a bottle of wine and it’s all fine and dandy?” a confused user wrote.

“They just didn’t want to pay an emergency plumber. Cheaper to get you a gift,” agreed another.

“They’re trying to save grace because you could go to VCAT and be paid rent in lieu for entire time you couldn’t access hot water – three days rent a lot more than a bottle of wine,” a person commented.

In Victoria, rental providers must make urgent repairs immediately, and a water issue falls under that category.

If the landlord does not respond to the urgent fix request, the renter can pay for the repair themselves and get it reimbursed within 7 days, as long as the cost is no more than $2500.

Renters can apply to VCAT if any issues arise with the landlord.