Every property manager recognizes the necessity of promptly responding when a resident calls with an emergency maintenance request. But which maintenance requests are emergencies that truly demand immediate attention, and which can be differed? This represents one of the most challenging situations faced by property owners, as some problems, albeit causing discomfort or inconvenience, are not true emergencies. On the contrary, other maintenance issues are serious enough to be addressed immediately or risk violating Landlord/Tenant laws or habitability codes. Learning the disparity between the two can empower you to handle all your renter’s maintenance requests with assurance.
What defines an emergency repair?
One way to know when you have a true emergency on your hands or not is to assess to what degree the maintenance issue could cause injury, severe property damage, or harm your resident’s health and safety. Any issues that correspond to this definition would usually be considered an emergency. Typical emergencies are as follows:
- 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 essential to be aware that certain maintenance items may be emergencies in one setting while being merely minor issues in another. For instance, a broken air conditioner is not an emergency during the cooler months. However, it is true indeed during a heatwave where temperatures reach dangerous levels.
Neglecting the obligation to respond immediately to emergencies like these – particularly during nocturnal hours – could violate habitability laws and could result in serious legal trouble. This is particularly applicable when your slowness prompts your tenant to take matters into their own hands and handle or make the repairs themselves.
Non-Emergency Maintenance Types
On the contrary, other maintenance issues, while potentially uncomfortable, are typically not regarded as emergencies unless there are extenuating circumstances. For example, a malfunctioning appliance, insufficient hot water, or slight leaks may be troublesome for your residents but generally do not fall under the category of an emergency repair. These maintenance issues must be reported as regular maintenance requests, which can be resolved during business hours.
For rental property owners, understanding what constitutes an emergency maintenance issue and how to respond appropriately is fundamental of successful property management. If you are struggling to manage these demands or your schedule is excessively full, it may be an opportune time to hire a quality property management company servicing the Mint Hill area and surrounding locations. Contact us online or call 704-285-2228 to hear more about the services Real Property Management Value delivers for rental property owners like you.
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