If you’ve ever accidentally hit your thermostat the wrong way or heard a funny noise from your refrigerator, you’ve probably wondered what exactly your apartment’s maintenance can assist you with. Read on for some basics about how to approach maintenance problems in your apartment.
Major Fixes Are a Must
Your landlord is responsible for anything structurally wrong in your apartment, no matter what. If there are any plumbing problems, leaks, or anything that affects the structural integrity, your landlord must take care of it in a timely manner. If you’re renting in an older building, even simple problems could be a sign of a more deep-rooted issue in the infrastructure and should quickly be taken care of. Unfortunately, a problem like this might lead maintenance to spend a couple days in your apartment – good thing it’s on business days.
Dealing With Appliances
Most apartments come with the basic appliances: refrigerator, oven, stove, dishwasher, maybe even a washer and dryer. If any of these give you grief, it’s also your landlord’s responsibility to repair or replace them. However, we wouldn’t recommend asking for a specific kind or model of appliance – don’t push your limits.
Light Bulbs? Drains? Water Pressure?
With simple, routine fixes around the apartment, it’s always good to try DIY first (and we have plenty of apartment hacks to help). And with small purchases like light bulbs, it’s a courtesy to your maintenance to take care of those yourself.
Check Your Lease
Your lease should spell out what your rights are with apartment repairs. Try to remember to go over this when you sign a lease, but if you didn’t, go back and find out what’s in writing. Having documentation to back you up always takes your claim to the next level.
Many big cities like New York have rules and regulations for landlord responsibilities. See what the Big Apple’s website says about how you should go about requesting maintenance or filing complaints (even for things as simple as low water pressure).
When it comes to apartment issues, be they big or small, don’t be afraid to stand up for what services you believe are owed to you. For landlords and property managers, making sure their tenants are taken care of is part of their job; in most cases, all you have to do is ask for their help! For more information on renting apartments, follow us on Facebook or Twitter!
