Many common problems in an apartment complex will require a property manager’s attention. But unfortunately, most of these problems will require help from a professional.
The ideal situation is that a rental unit will stay in tip-top shape always and forever, but in real life, things will go wrong, and repairs will need to be made. Some will be easy fixes, and others will require the help of professionals.
So, what apartment maintenance jobs and apartment repairs are these issues that any landlord should be on the lookout for?
1 – Water Issues
Water leaks under the sink – water leaks under the bathroom or kitchen sink can wreak havoc on your cabinets and become a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Many leaks are caused by ill-fitting components. It can be as easy as tightening loose nuts, bolts, and screws.
No hot water/water heater problems – when a tenant faces the loss of hot water, it is most likely due to a faulty water heater. It could be as simple as needing to replace the heating element, but it could mean that the entire water heater needs to be replaced.
Dripping water from faucets – one of the most annoying things about a dripping faucet is the sound it makes, but it can also cause more profound damage to your plumbing system.
2 – Faulty Appliances
When something has a lot of moving parts, it ups the odds of some of those parts malfunctioning. And big-ticket appliances that go on the fritz will lead to high costs. In addition, replacing things such as a dishwasher, stove, or washer and dryer will inevitably increase the repair costs. However, there is good news, which only sometimes leads to busting your budget. Plenty of used appliance stores sell quality equipment that won’t cost you a pretty penny.
3 – Rodents and Insects
It is guaranteed that you will not find a tenant who is pleased when bugs or mice overrun their home. This is a tricky situation for landlords because most of the time, infestations are the direct result of something that the tenant is doing, such as leaving food about or just generally leaving their living space unclean. But unfortunately, this problem lands on the landlord’s shoulders to take care of.
However, it is not uncommon for a landlord to include pest control being the tenant’s responsibility in the lease. This way, the issue does not become the property’s problem. This is a smart choice for single-family units, but it may take time to determine exactly where the problem originated in an apartment complex.
4 – Plumbing Problems
There are a couple of toilet-related issues that can be considered DIY issues. These won’t necessarily require the landlord to take care of the problem. For example, the water in your toilet sounds like it is constantly running; it is most likely an issue inside the tank and can be fixed fairly easily without spending a lot of money.
Clogged toilets are a little more tricky. It is typically an issue that the tenant is in charge of fixing on their own or by calling a plumber. However, if the clog is not only a toilet issue but the bathtub and the sink are also experiencing issues, this falls on the landlord to bring in a professional to fix the problem.
Kitchen sinks can also become clogged or backed up. Usually, this is due to problems with the garbage disposal. Although the technology that allows people to grind up food in their sink is phenomenal, when it malfunctions, it can cause issues that are less than ideal for the tenant and the landlord.
5 – Furnace Repairs
Heat in units is essential, so repairs will need to be made when a furnace bites the dust. This is especially important in the cold winter months. It could be as simple as the pilot light being out, or it can be as complicated as a gas leak. If it is a gas leak, you’ll want a furnace repair specialist to come to the property asap.
There is good news and bad news for property managers, though minor issues can be prevented simply by regularly changing the filters. However, replacing a furnace can cost thousands of dollars when it goes south.
6 – Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors are imperative devices to have in anyone’s home, but they are especially essential in each apartment complex unit. When they malfunction, they no longer have any value and take away an important safety feature in the unit. Landlords are only responsible for fixing smoke detectors that have stopped working altogether. If it is a dead battery issue, tenants are responsible.
7 – HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)
HVAC systems are essential to keeping tenants safe, comfortable, and happy. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain them. Also, landlords may face some legal troubles if they do not maintain them properly. Therefore, it is definitely recommended to leave repairs that are HVAC related to professionals.
8 – Electrical Work
Electrical issues in an apartment building can quickly go from bad to worse. And they can be quite dangerous. Besides tenants wanting their lighting and devices to work, they also want to avoid being faced with their home being engulfed in flames due to an electrical fire.
9 – Drywall Repairs
Even though you can’t technically see drywall, it is indeed all around us. It is the most common choice of building material because it is simpler to repair. This makes fixing issues inside the walls easy, and most likely, the landlord can make these repairs themselves. Even if they are not trained to make such repairs, YouTube videos can shine some DIY light on the issue.
We hope that you don’t run into any of these problems inside your apartment complex, but if your tenants experience any issues with their plumbing, Salisbury Plumbing is here to help. Contact us today, and let us take care of your plumbing problems.
