Keeping a rental property in good condition is a shared task between landlords and tenants. While tenants are required to handle day-to-day maintenance tasks such as cleaning and making minor repairs, it’s up to landlords to deal with seasonal maintenance and unexpected emergencies.
There are many things you can do to prevent maintenance emergencies, such as conducting regular property inspections and making repairs promptly.
However, emergency issues are an unavoidable part of owning a property. So, you’re bound to receive emergency calls from your tenants several times throughout their lease term.
However, there will be times when your tenants may call for a problem that can wait for the next day, such as a leaky faucet or an appliance malfunction. But how can you determine what problems require urgent attention and what can wait?
In this comprehensive guide, the experts at Evolve Nevada will tell you exactly what maintenance issues are considered emergencies. Let’s dive in!
What Maintenance Issues Are an Emergency?
Maintenance emergencies are issues that if left unattended, can severely damage your property or pose a health or safety risk to your tenants.
Addressing emergencies promptly is key to keeping your investment safe and your tenants happy. Leaving these issues unattended, even for short periods, will only worsen them.
Thats why, in Nevada rental owners and landlords are legally required to have an emergency contact that resides in a 60 mile radius of the rental property.
Here's a list of some maintenance issues that are considered emergencies and require immediate attention:
- Gas Leaks: Because gas leaks pose a severe risk of fire or explosions, they require immediate action. If tenants smell gas or suspect a leak, they should evacuate the premises, shut off the gas supply, if safe to do so, and contact emergency services right away. This will greatly minimize the risk of fire hazards.
- Water Leaks and Flooding: Problems such as burst pipes, overflowing toilets, or excessive amounts of water coming in from outside can cause extensive damage to property and tenants’ belongings. That’s why immediate action is needed to mitigate water damage and prevent mold growth.
- Electrical Hazards: Any electrical issue that poses a risk of electrocution, such as exposed wires, sparking outlets, or frequent circuit breaker tripping, requires immediate attention by a qualified electrician. This will not only prevent injuries but can also minimize the risk of fires on the property.
- Structural Damage: Events like a collapsed roof, severe foundation cracks, or structural instability due to natural disasters or accidents demand immediate attention. Getting a professional to assess and repair the issue right away is the best course of action to ensure tenant safety and prevent further property damage.
- Fire Hazards: In the event of a fire, prioritize tenant safety by ensuring immediate evacuation and contacting emergency services. Regularly maintain functional fire alarms, extinguishers, and sprinkler systems. Conduct fire drills to prepare tenants for emergencies and mitigate fire risks.
- Loss of Heating or Cooling: Extreme temperatures can pose health risks, especially to vulnerable individuals like the elderly or young children. If you live in an area with extreme temperatures, loss of heating in winter or cooling in summer will always require prompt attention.
- Blocked Sewer Line: A blocked sewer line can lead to sewage backup into the property, causing health hazards and extensive property damage. Immediate action is necessary to clear the blockage and repair any damaged drains and pipes.
- Security Breaches: Break-ins, vandalism, and other security breaches require immediate attention to ensure tenant safety and property security. In addition to installing new security features, you should work with law enforcement to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
- Carbon Monoxide Detection: High concentrations of carbon monoxide can be deadly. If your tenants ever inform you of any detection of carbon monoxide, whether from alarms or suspected leaks, you must ask them to evacuate the premises immediately and contact a professional to conduct an inspection.
What Maintenance Issues Are Not an Emergency?
While there are many maintenance emergencies that should never be ignored, there are many other issues that are not urgent. Problems such as a leaky faucet or minor repairs can typically wait to be addressed during regular business hours.
Here are some examples of maintenance issues that do not constitute an emergency and can wait for the next day:
- Non-Critical Plumbing Issues: A dripping faucet, a slow drain, or a minor leak don't pose an immediate threat to property or occupants. So, they can usually wait until the next day to be repaired.
- Appliance Malfunctions: If a non-essential appliance like a microwave, toaster, or dishwasher stops working, it can typically be addressed during regular business hours.
- Minor Electrical Problems: Issues such as a non-working light switch, a faulty outlet that isn't sparking, or a flickering light can be addressed the following day. However, it’s a good idea to ensure safety measures are taken until repairs can be made.
- Gardening and Landscaping Issues: Unless there's a severe landscaping hazard like a fallen tree or major flooding due to irrigation issues, routine gardening tasks such as trimming bushes or mowing the lawn do not require immediate attention.
- Cosmetic Damages: Minor cosmetic issues such as scuffed walls, loose cabinet handles, or small paint touch-ups don't impact the functionality or safety of the property. So they can wait until regular business hours or even until your seasonal maintenance.
- Minor Repairs: Issues involving non-structural components such as loose tiles, minor ceiling cracks, or loose door handles can be scheduled for regular maintenance hours without posing immediate risks.
Bottom Line
As a landlord, you’ll have to deal with a fair share of emergency issues, from gas leaks and burst pipes to fire hazards. However, there will be instances in which a tenant calls to report a problem that is not, in fact, an emergency.
Knowing which problems constitute an emergency and which can wait is key to managing a rental property. With the lists below, you’ll be better prepared to handle any problems you encounter throughout your journey as a landlord!
Need help managing tenant requests? Contact Evolve Nevada today! Our team of dedicated professional managers will make sure that your rental property is always in good condition. We’ll make sure all issues, whether they’re emergencies or not, are resolved promptly!
