There is a water leak or pipe burst — who do I call?

Direct answer

First stop the water at the main valve and cut the electricity if water reaches sockets. In a rental, the landlord or managing agent is responsible for the pipes and must send someone urgently; if you cannot reach them, call an emergency plumber and keep the invoice — an urgent necessary repair can be charged back. Damage to your belongings and the neighbour's ceiling is what Schlichtungsstelle Versicherungen (VVO) / Verbraucherschlichtung (01 890 63 11) — your contents or liability insurer, and their ombudsman if they refuse — is for. If the leak comes from the street or the building's main supply, Gemeindeamt / Magistrat — Bürgerservice (oesterreich.gv.at) sends the water company. Schlichtungsstelle der Gemeinde (Wohnrecht) (wien.gv.at) decides if the landlord will not repair or reduce the rent.

Call firstSchlichtungsstelle der Gemeinde (Wohnrecht)

Report toSchlichtungsstelle Versicherungen (VVO) / Verbraucherschlichtung

If that failsGemeindeamt / Magistrat — Bürgerservice

🗣️ What to say

"There is a water leak at [address] since [time] coming from [where]. I have shut the main valve. The [ceiling / floor / neighbour below] is affected. Please send a plumber today; if I cannot reach you by [time] I will call an emergency plumber and charge the cost to you."

🪜 Step by step

Stop water, cut powerMain valve, then the fuse for the affected room. Move belongings, put buckets, photograph everything.
Warn the neighbour belowAnd the building manager. The sooner they know, the smaller the claim.
Landlord or agent, by phone and in writingPhone for speed, message for proof. Give a short deadline before you call your own plumber.
Insurer within daysContents insurance for your things, liability for the neighbour's; the landlord's building insurance for the structure. Photos and the plumber's report are the claim.
Landlord will not act: Schlichtungsstelle der Gemeinde (Wohnrecht)Rent reduction for the unusable rooms and an order to repair.

📇 All contacts

Schlichtungsstelle der Gemeinde (Wohnrecht)Free procedure for deposit and rent disputes, where establishedMandatory before court in Vienna, Graz, Linz, Salzburg and others🔗 www.wien.gv.at/wohnen/schlichtungsstelle

Schlichtungsstelle Versicherungen (VVO) / VerbraucherschlichtungDispute resolution with insurersAfter the insurer's refusal📞 01 890 63 11 🔗 www.verbraucherschlichtung.at

Gemeindeamt / Magistrat — BürgerserviceMunicipal office: registration, order, noise, waste, lost propertyFor anything the municipality regulates🔗 www.oesterreich.gv.at

Mietervereinigung ÖsterreichAdvice and representation for membersBefore the first letter to the landlord📞 050 195 3000 🔗 mietervereinigung.at

❓ Frequently asked

Who pays the plumber?

The owner of the pipe: the landlord for the building's plumbing, you for an appliance you own (washing machine hose). The invoice for an urgent repair the landlord ignored is recoverable.

My neighbour's leak damaged my flat

Their liability insurance pays; write to the neighbour and their landlord, and claim on your own contents insurance first if you have one — insurers settle between themselves.

The landlord says it is my fault

Only if you caused it (blocked drain, broken appliance). A burst pipe or a failed seal is wear and the owner's risk.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

“water leak landlord responsibility Austria”
“pipe burst who pays”
“leak from upstairs neighbour claim”
“emergency plumber rental landlord”
“water damage insurance claim”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

Your tools for Austria

Before it goes wrongCan I?What is allowed, what is not, which permit you need — with the official source.Energy · AustriaElectricity & gasThe rules that protect you as an electricity and gas customer in Austria, and who to contact. Every fact is checked on an official source.Recognise it firstIs dit veilig?Check a phone number, website or message against 47,000 scam dossiers.

💧 There is a water leak or pipe burst — who do I call?