One of the major perks of renting is that you’re not responsible for fixing anything that breaks within your apartment. However, it’s your job to alert the maintenance team when a problem arises. Here’s what you need to know about submitting apartment maintenance requests.
Typical Maintenance Requests
When you ask your landlord or property manager to repair something in your apartment, this is known as submitting a maintenance request. The service should be free to you under the terms of your lease. Here are some common reasons to submit a non-emergency maintenance request:
- Beeping smoke alarm or fire detector
- Dirty HVAC filter
- Clogged or finicky toilet
- Slow drain
- Poor water pressure
- Burned-out light bulb
- Broken garbage disposal
- Unresponsive garage door remote
- Suspected pest infestation
- Torn or broken window screens
Emergency Apartment Maintenance
You know you’re having a maintenance emergency if the problem could harm the property or threaten your health and safety if not handled immediately. Many complexes have 24/7 on-call maintenance to handle any emergencies that arise. A few examples include:
- No air conditioning when it’s above 90 degrees outside
- No heat when it’s below 50 degrees outside
- Broken refrigerator
- Damaged window or door locks
- Unexplained power outages
- Leaky pipes
- Overflowing toilet
- Gas leak
- Fire
Knowing When to Call Maintenance
You might be able to handle some non-emergency repairs yourself, such as swapping out a light bulb or plunging a clogged toilet. However, many repairs are best left to an apartment maintenance technician. Here’s how to tell when you should submit a request:
- You’re not sure how to make the repair.
- Attempting the repair yourself could cause a safety concern.
- You don’t want to buy the items necessary to perform the repair.
- The repair requires plumbing, electrical, or HVAC knowledge.
Why it’s Important to Submit Minor Requests, Not Just Emergencies
Many renters ignore small issues, leaving them unaddressed for a long time. This is problematic because something minor could grow into a major emergency if left unaddressed. Many maintenance teams also dislike it when tenants compile a list of minor requests, only calling once the tasks will take all day to complete. This makes it difficult to remain available for other residents that may have an urgent situation arise.
Luckily, submitting a maintenance request is usually very straightforward. Simply call or email your landlord, property manager, or leasing office. Many communities also allow residents to submit requests through an online portal.
If you’re ready to begin your foray into apartment life, check out what Apartment Locating Specialists has to offer. We have 30 years of experience helping apartment hunters find the perfect place to live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Best of all, our apartment locator service is completely free, so it’s a no-brainer to use us! Begin your apartment search in the DFW Metroplex today, or call us at (817) 685-7368 with any questions you have.
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