What's the difference between an emergency repair and a routine repair?

The law lists a variety of situations that are considered emergency repairs including:

•     a burst water service or a serious water service leajk
•     a blocked or broken lavatory system
•     a serious roof leak
•     a gas leak
•     a dangerous electrical fault
•     flooding or serious flood damage
•     a failure or breakdown of the gas, electricity or water supply to the premises
•     a failure or breakdown of an essential service or appliance on the premises for hot water, cooking or heating, and
•     a fault/damage that is likely to cause injury, undue inconvenience or which makes the premises unsafe or insecure (for example broken stairs).

If your situation is not listed as an emergency repair it is considered a routine repair.