The majority of property managers are aware that when a resident calls with an emergency maintenance request, they have to act right away. Yet, which maintenance requests are emergencies that are less urgent, and which are emergencies that need immediate attention? Since certain problems, even ones that create discomfort or annoyance, are not true emergencies, this is one of the most difficult questions that property owners must answer. However, other maintenance issues are sufficiently serious to be addressed immediately or risk violating Landlord/Tenant laws or habitability codes. You can confidently handle all your renter’s maintenance requests if you understand the difference between the two.
What defines an emergency repair?
One way to know when you have a true emergency on your hands or not is to think about to what degree the maintenance issue could cause injury, severe property damage, or endanger your resident’s health and safety. Generally, any problem that fits this description would 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 comprehend that certain maintenance items may be emergencies in some situations but not in others. For illustration, a broken air conditioner is not an emergency in the cooler months. However, it is unquestionably during a heatwave where temperatures reach dangerous levels.
Neglecting to respond immediately to emergencies like these – including those that happen in the middle of the night – could violate habitability laws and, eventually, lead to serious legal trouble. This is particularly true if your inaction prompts your tenant to take matters into their own hands and organize or make the repairs themselves.
Non-Emergency Maintenance Types
On the other side, other maintenance issues that, while bothersome, are not typically regarded emergencies unless there are extenuating circumstances. For illustration, a malfunctioning appliance, no hot water, or tiny leaks may be troublesome for your residents but usually do not qualify under the category of an emergency repair. These maintenance issues must be reported as regular maintenance requests, which you can manage during business hours.
For rental property owners, comprehending what constitutes an emergency maintenance issue and how to respond appropriately is a key component of efficient property management. If you are unable to reply to such requests promptly or have other obligations that require your time, it might be time to hire a quality property management company servicing the Warrick area and beyond. Contact us online or call 812-461-1676 to discover more about what Real Property Management Results provides rental property owners like you.
Originally Published on July 2, 2021
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