Most property managers are aware that they are compelled to respond punctually when a resident calls with an emergency maintenance request. Yet, which maintenance requests are emergencies that need immediate attention, and which are less urgent? This is one of the more problematic scenarios that property owners encounter, as certain issues, despite their potential to cause anxiety or inconvenience, are not true emergencies. On the flip side, other maintenance issues are sufficiently severe to be addressed immediately or risk violating Landlord/Tenant laws or habitability codes. Understanding the difference between the two can help you positively handle all your renter’s maintenance requests.
What defines an emergency repair?
One way to know when you have a true emergency on your hands is to take into account to what degree the maintenance issue could cause injury, severe property damage, or put your resident’s health and safety in danger. Any problem that would fall under this category would normally be considered an emergency. Common emergencies involve:
- Gas Leak
- Frozen or Broken Water Lines
- Flooding or Water Emergencies
- Fire
- Carbon Monoxide Detection
- Sewer Back-up
- No Heat in Cold Weather
- No Air Conditioning in Extremely Hot Temperatures
- Extended Power Outage
- Intruder Break-In
Determining an Emergency from Non-Emergency
It is critical to realize that certain maintenance items may be emergencies in one set of situations but not in another. For instance, a broken air conditioner is not an emergency during a cool climate. Yet, it is unquestionably during a heatwave where temperatures reach dangerous levels.
Failing to respond immediately to emergencies such as these, incorporating those that transpire in the middle of the night, could violate habitability laws and, in the long run, result in serious legal trouble. This is particularly the case if your laziness prompts your tenant to take matters into their own hands and take care of or make the repairs themselves.
Non-Emergency Maintenance Types
On the other hand, other maintenance issues that, even though challenging, are not typically deemed to be emergencies unless there are extenuating circumstances. For instance, a malfunctioning appliance, freezing water, or minor water leakages may be troublesome for your residents but typically incorporate in category of emergency repair. These maintenance issues ought to be reported as regular maintenance requests, which you can carry out during business hours.
For rental property owners, learning what constitutes an emergency maintenance issue and how to respond appropriately is a critical component of positive property management. If are unable to immediately respond to such requests or have other responsibilities that need your time, it might be an excellent idea to hire a quality property management company that serves the Decatur area and neighboring areas. Contact us online or call 404-905-9455 for additional details about what Real Property Management North Point offers rental property owners like you.
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