Many property managers distinguish that they need to work straightaway when a resident calls with an emergency maintenance request. But which maintenance requests are emergencies, necessitating immediate attention, and which can wait a little longer? This is one of the toughest scenarios that property owners face since some problems, even those that cause irritation or discomfort, are not true emergencies. On the flip side, other maintenance issues are hazardous enough to be addressed immediately or risk violating Landlord/Tenant laws or habitability codes. If you see the difference between the two, you can appropriately 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 or not is to assess to what degree the maintenance issue could cause injury, severe property damage, or put your resident’s health and safety in jeopardy. In general, any issues that suit’ this description would be considered an emergency. Common emergencies include:
- 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 recognize that certain maintenance items may be emergencies under one set of situations but not another. Let’s say a broken air conditioner is not an emergency when it’s cold outside. However, it is definitely during a drought when temperatures reach dangerous levels.
Failing to respond immediately to emergencies like these – such as those that emerge in the middle of the night – could violate habitability laws and, in the long run, initiate serious legal trouble. This is particularly pertinent if your inaction prompts your tenant to take matters into their own hands and cope with or make the repairs themselves.
Non-Emergency Maintenance Types
On the other side, there are certain maintenance issues that are bothersome but not emergencies unless there are extenuating circumstances. For illustration, a malfunctioning appliance, no hot water, or small leaks may be troublesome for your residents but typically do not include in the category of an emergency repair. These maintenance issues need to be reported as regular maintenance requests, which you can take on during business hours.
For rental property owners, seeing what constitutes an emergency maintenance issue and how to respond appropriately is imperative to effective property management. If you have other things that you prioritize or can’t answer instantly to these requests, it might be recommended to hire a quality property management company servicing the Orland Park area and its vicinity. For more information about what Real Property Management Chicago Group can deliver for rental property owners like you, Contact us online or call 312-265-0660.
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