February 18, 2022 – Living in West Chester off campus student housing or resident place for rent means that maintenance staff will take care of the majority of your repairs. However, it’s important to know what is considered an emergency and what can wait until business hours. Let’s face it, a broken light bulb is not reason to contact maintenance. Furthermore, while some things may be an inconvenience, it may not be drastic enough to call the maintenance man for until the next business day. There are a few instances where repairs need to be performed immediately, and we’d like to provide some insight.
What Is Considered Emergency Maintenance in an Apartment?
Damaged or Broken Water Lines
When a water line breaks, it’s a good possibility that you will incur extensive damage to your property. If you catch it early enough, damages may be kept to a minimum and a quick fix will hold off the major repairs until the next business day. Catching a drip or leak when it is small is preferable so that the damage to the pipes won’t spread. If a major event occurs, maintenance will need to handle the situation immediately.
Broken Main Door Locks
A broken lock is an emergency that normally won’t take long to fix. This is one instance when the maintenance team can make an emergency visit and have the problem fixed in a short period of time so you can be safe and secure in your apartment. Getting locked out of your apartment is another emergency situation where calling the maintenance man is a priority.
HVAC Issues
There are times when HVAC issues are considered a non-emergency. However, if your HVAC unit goes out and the temperature is above 90 degrees, calling the maintenance man is acceptable. The same is true if the heat goes out and the temperature is going to drop to 50 degrees or lower. Small children and the elderly do not do well in extreme temperatures. Any problems with your HVAC unit should be reported to the main office as soon as they begin to appear. Hopefully, with prompt attention, any issues can be repaired before an emergency occurs.
Gas Leak
Gas leaks can be extremely dangerous and must be reported immediately. In addition to calling maintenance, you will also want to call the gas company to make sure the problem is fixed in a timely fashion. Don’t wait to make the call. If a gas leak is suspected, evacuate your apartment immediately until you are given the “all clear” to return. Gas does not have an odor. In some cases, you may smell something similar to rotten eggs. Always err on the side of caution and make the phone call.
Fire/Fire Hazard
If you see something that you believe could be a fire or if you see or smell smoke, call 9-1-1 immediately. Once you have notified the authorities, call the maintenance team to let them know what is going on. If they are already on the premises, they may be able to get the situation under control. The fire department will have to clear your apartment to make sure it is safe for you to return. If you believe a fire hazard exists that is severe enough to warrant a call to maintenance, don’t wait. Prevention is the key when it comes to lowering your risk of a fire.
When you live in an apartment, you need to be aware of your surroundings. It is important to make sure everything in your apartment is in good working order at all times. You will need to talk to the office about what constitutes an emergency and what issues should wait until the next business day. If you have any questions, always feel free to contact the Zukin Realty main office or if you certain…it is an important request, submit a maintenance request form.
