Emergency Property Maintenance As A New Landlord: What You Have To Do — And When You Have To Do It!

As a new rental property owner, you have an excellent opportunity to generate income from your tenants. However, it's important to remember that some of your rental income will have to go into property maintenance, including emergency property maintenance. While some maintenance requests are clearly non-urgent (trimming shrubbery, for example), other situations will require immediate attention regardless of the time. Here are some of the most common emergency property maintenance situations you can expect to face as a landlord today. 

Oh Heck No — Not the HVAC!

A malfunctioning HVAC system can be a real headache for a landlord because there are several situations when it will qualify as an emergency. These include: 

Heater Not Working: When it's 39 degrees F or colder and the heater's out, it's an emergency. 

Air Conditioner not Working: If the air conditioner's not working and it's over 90 degrees F, it's an emergency. 

The Misery of No Electricity

No electricity isn't just an inconvenience — it's a property maintenance emergency. This applies in cases where the power is out in the entire apartment or home. Naturally, if the problem originates with the electric company that services your property, it's not your responsibility as a landlord to restore the power. However, you should stay in close contact with the electric company so you can keep your tenants updated on the situation.

Plumbing the Depths of Despair

Plumbing emergencies are a problem that every rental property owner will face sooner or later, so be prepared for problems like clogged toilets due to a sewer line back-up. If the clogged toilet is the only toilet in the home, it's an emergency. If there is another working toilet in the home, the maintenance request can wait until the next business day. 

Burst pipes are another plumbing issue that requires emergency maintenance. A single burst pipe can do a huge amount of damage to your property, and it's vital that the problem be addressed immediately — even if it's 3:00 am. If it's only a leak, it may still be prudent to take care of the damaged pipe right away. The pipe is greatly weakened already and it might burst at any time if it's already leaking. 

It's great to be a landlord — at least most of the time. As long as you work with an emergency maintenance team at a company like Choice  Maintenance Group LLC for situations like those described above, you'll be prepared for whatever your property can dish out!