What Maintenance Issues Are Emergencies and What Can Wait for Regular Business Hours
Being a landlord requires handling a variety of situations, including routine maintenance and emergencies, at all hours of the day.
If regular maintenance issues arise at odd hours, they can typically wait until regular business hours. Emergencies, however, require immediate attention. Understanding the difference between the two can help you respond to issues quickly and efficiently.
In this article, we’ll cover some common emergency issues and how to handle them. We’ll also provide some tips on how to fix maintenance and repair issues to ensure your rental meets safety standards.
What Are Emergency Maintenance Issues?
Emergency maintenance issues are urgent and should be addressed as quickly as possible, as they may put the safety of both your tenant and your property at risk. Landlords may have to deal with a lot of emergency maintenance issues. These can include but are not limited to flooding, furnace or air conditioning breakdowns, and plumbing problems.
For instance, the heat going out in the middle of winter would be considered an emergency situation, as it could put your tenants and other house systems at risk.
How to Identify Emergency Maintenance Issues
Emergency maintenance issues can be identified by their severity. Landlords should assess a situation’s potential to cause harm to their tenants and act accordingly. Some potential emergencies include electrical problems, water leaks, gas leaks, and non-working heating and air conditioning units.
If you’re unsure how to handle an emergency maintenance issue, you should partner with a property management company like MTD Property Management. Our team can assess the situation and provide the necessary repairs to prevent further damage or injury.
Emergency Maintenance Issues You May Encounter
It’s always best to plan ahead and prepare for any potential emergencies to minimize the extent of the damage. Here are a handful of emergency issues to keep an eye out for and address promptly:
A Pipe Burst
If tenants complain of any kitchen or bathroom leakage, shut off the water supply to the sink as soon as possible. Locate the valves under the sink and turn them clockwise to shut off the water.
If there isn’t enough time to turn off the water, try stuffing towels under the cabinets or behind doors. Call a plumber to replace the pipe and check for any other damage.
A Gas Leak
If your tenants call and complain about a gas leak, ask them to call 911 and leave the apartment. You should suggest shutting off the main gas valve and opening the windows to ventilate the area.
Make sure the tenants understand not to light any matches or turn on any lights. A qualified and certified professional should be called immediately to inspect and repair the gas lines.
Electrical Fires or Power Outages
If your tenants suspect that an electrical fire has started, they should immediately turn off the power to the circuit. If there’s smoke coming out of a wall switch or outlet, ask them to shut it off and remove any items plugged into it.
An electrician should check the wiring and make sure all connections are up to code. They may even recommend replacing or upgrading the wiring to prevent any future electrical fires.
Furnace or Air Conditioning Breakdowns in Cold or Hot Weather
If the furnace or air conditioner stops working during cold weather, it’s considered an emergency, as not having heat can be dangerous for anyone living in the property. Call a professional immediately to repair or replace the unit.
In hot weather, there are some things that can wait until regular business hours, such as changing filters and making sure vents aren’t blocked. However, if the AC stops working on a hot day and cannot be restarted manually, it’ll have to be fixed as quickly as possible.
Maintenance Issues That Can Wait for Regular Business Hours
Although not as pressing as emergency issues, regular maintenance issues should still be addressed promptly and adequately to prevent any further damage. Some of the most common non-emergency issues include:
- Cleaning air filters.
- Testing and replacing batteries in security and fire alarms.
- Inspecting and maintaining HVAC systems.
- Checking and replacing weather stripping.
- Cleaning and maintaining gutters.
- Changing a broken lock.
- Replacing worn out paint.
- Cleaning and repairing windows and doors.
- Checking and repairing roofing and siding.
- Testing and replacing light bulbs in outdoor fixtures.
- Performing periodic maintenance on appliances.
- Checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Checking for and sealing any cracks or holes in the exterior of the house.
It’s best to take preventive measures and address all maintenance issues as soon as they come up to prevent more costly repairs in the future.
Tips to Handle Property Maintenance and Repairs
As a landlord, it’s important to prioritize the maintenance and repairs of your rental unit. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Preventative Maintenance: Perform regular inspections to identify potential issues before they become emergencies.
2. Be Responsive to Tenants: Respond to maintenance requests promptly.
3. Have a Plan for Emergencies: Since emergencies can happen suddenly, it’s important to have a plan in place for how to handle them.
4. Hire a Professional: Partner with MTD Property Management! We can help you spot and fix potential issues before they turn into emergencies.
Conclusion
A great way to handle any sort of maintenance issue is to partner with MTD Property Management. We have the resources to solve any problems that may arise, from emergency repairs to preventative maintenance.
When you have us, you don't need to worry about anything, be it tenant complaints or keeping track of your
rental documents. We are always on call and ready to handle any situation.
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