Responsibility usually depends on the confirmed leak location. The gas distributor generally handles faults in its network, while the property owner arranges repairs to private gas pipes, fittings and appliances. In a NSW rental, the landlord generally arranges urgent repairs to supplied services. Do not delay emergency action while determining who must pay.
What to do immediately
Leave the affected area and call for help from a safe location. Do not try to find, test, isolate or repair the leak. The rules on gas appliance and fitting repairs in NSW require this work to be handled by an appropriately licensed gasfitter.
- Keep flames, cigarettes and other ignition sources away.
- Do not operate electrical switches, appliances or phones near the suspected leak.
- Keep everyone away and do not re-enter until advised that it is safe.
- Call Triple Zero (000) if there is an immediate danger to people or property. Otherwise, call the gas distributor’s emergency line and follow its instructions.
Is the leak in the network or private installation?
The distributor generally handles its mains and other network infrastructure. The property owner generally handles the private gas installation, including pipework, fittings and appliances beyond the distributor’s confirmed responsibility boundary.
Check the gas bill or an official postcode lookup to identify the distributor. Do not assume responsibility always changes at the meter. Ownership and connection boundaries can vary and should be confirmed with the distributor. For a suspected fault in a street or public place, follow the process for reporting a public gas smell safely.
A gas retailer manages billing and accounts but does not usually repair network faults or private installations. For LPG systems, responsibility for cylinders and regulators can depend on the supply agreement. Contact the supplier and an appropriately licensed gasfitter.
Who arranges and pays for private repairs?
- Homeowners: Usually arrange repairs to their private gas installation and owner-supplied appliances.
- NSW tenants: Must promptly notify the landlord or agent and should not test or repair the leak. If the nominated urgent-repair contact cannot be reached or does not respond, follow the current NSW Fair Trading urgent-repair process.
- Landlords or agents: Generally arrange urgent repairs to gas leaks affecting supplied services and must keep those services safe and functional.
The person who initially arranges the repair may not ultimately be liable for its cost. Responsibility can change if the leak involves a tenant-owned appliance, deliberate or negligent damage, a contractor or a defective product. After immediate safety is addressed, check whether gas-leak damage may be claimable under the relevant insurance policy.
Once the distributor or emergency service has addressed any immediate danger, contact Fixed Today for licensed gas leak detection and repair if the fault is within the property’s private gas installation.