The holiday period is one of the busiest times of the year for strata communities. With residents hosting guests, travelling and spending more time at home, unexpected issues can occur. Oakfield provides after hours support for genuine emergencies, but it is important to understand what qualifies as urgent and what should wait until normal business hours.
Below is a clear guide to help residents navigate emergency situations and know when to contact Oakfield’s after hours team.
What Is Considered a Strata Emergency?
A strata emergency is an issue that poses a risk to safety, causes active or imminent property damage or affects essential services for the entire building.
- Water and Plumbing Emergencies
- Burst pipes
- Water coming through power points or light fittings
- Serious roof leaks
- Sewer blockages affecting all toilet facilities
These issues can quickly escalate and must be reported immediately.
- Electrical Emergencies
- Complete loss of power or lighting to the entire building
If the outage affects your individual apartment only, this is not considered a strata emergency and should be handled during business hours.
- Gas Leaks
Any smell or sign of a gas leak must be treated as urgent. Residents should also contact the gas provider or emergency services if there is immediate danger.
- Security and Access Failures
- Faulty common area entry doors
- Gates that will not open or close
- Damage that prevents you from securing your home
Security-related concerns that affect resident safety qualify as emergencies.
When to Contact Emergency Services
If a situation involves fire risk, criminal activity or danger to life, residents should contact 000 first. Emergency services will provide immediate assistance and stabilise the situation before Oakfield contractors attend the site if required.
Issues That Are Not Considered Emergencies
Not all after-hours problems qualify as urgent. The following should be reported to your strata manager during regular office hours:
- Noise complaints
- TV reception issues
- Lost keys or being locked out (contact a locksmith)
- Power outage affecting only your individual apartment
- Minor maintenance concerns such as garden issues or lighting replacements
Non-urgent matters can be submitted through Oakfield’s Contact page or directly to your strata manager.
How to Help Us Respond Faster
If you call the after-hours line and reach voicemail, leave clear and complete details including:
- Your name
- The best phone number to reach you
- Your address and unit number
- A brief description of the issue
Providing accurate information helps the contractor or strata manager take action quickly.
Stay Prepared This Holiday Season
Understanding what counts as a strata emergency helps ensure that urgent issues are resolved promptly while non-essential matters are handled efficiently during standard hours. For general enquiries or routine maintenance requests, visit our Contact page or browse our News section for helpful strata guides and updates.
If you would like Oakfield to manage your building with clear processes and reliable support, learn more about our services on the Strata Management page.