Tenant trouble shooting guide

 
 

Tenants are typically responsible for ensuring their property stays sanitary, clean and in good repair. A landlord is generally not responsible for making any repairs caused by the tenant’s own fault or if their guests damage anything. However, if a tenant notices an issue and fails to report it to the landlord, the tenant may be held liable for additional damage that would not have occurred had the tenant made a timely complaint.There are some simple maintenance tasks that tenants can perform to help resolve minor issues without making an appointment for service.

** Reminder, any repair under $50 is a tenant responsibility. Broadsight Realty can coordinate the repair, but the tenant will be charged the repair fee.**

Broadsight Realty Property Management has provided the following maintenance tips and guide for tenants to troubleshoot problems:

No power

  • Check your fuse box for tripped breaker switch

  • Reset the breaker by moving it to the full “off” position and then back to “on”

  • Check appliances. Unplug all of them in the unit. Reset breaker, plug in one

  • appliance at a time to find the faulty appliance. Press the “reset” button on any appliances connected to a GFI or GFCI receptacle

  • Contact your power company to inquire if there are power outages in your neighborhood

no hot water

  • Check to see if hot water tank is leaking

  • Check fuse box for tripped breaker switch

  • If it’s a gas water heater, check to see if the pilot light is out, if you can’t turn it on, call your gas provider for instructions

garbage disposal not working

  • Check for blockage in the sink around the blades. Before putting your hands or utensil down the sink, make sure the unit is turned off. ** Never put these items down the disposal: chicken bones, onion peels, potato skins, and corn husk**

  • Reset the safety switch underneath the bottom of the disposal unit in the sink cabinet

  • Use an allen wrench to wind the gear of the disposal

Clogged or slow sink (without using harsh chemical drain cleaners)

  • Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain, pour in ½ cup baking soda. Let it sit for a few minutes. Then pour a mixture of 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup hot water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Flush one more time with pot of boiling water

  • For clogged bathtub and shower drains-pour boiling water down the drain to unclog hair and soap build-up

clogged toilet

  • Use a plunger with short, quick motions. You may need rubber gloves; it can get messy

  • Pour bucket of water to clear out

washing machine not working properly or at all

  • Check whether the washing machine taps are turned on at the wall

  • Check if the appliance at the wall is turned on

  • Check if the lid is closing properly

  • Check if settings knob is pointed directly on the desired settings.

  • If the machine has stopped halfway through the cycle you may have overloaded the machine and caused it to be out of balance. Try redistributing the wash evenly in the drum.

  • Don’t overload the machine

  • ONLY use laundry detergent NEVER use dishwashing detergent

Dryer is not working

Dryers can automatically shut down due to overload of lint in the filter. Check whether the filter needs to be cleaned out. Remember to always clean the filter out. *Failure to clean the dryer is the leading cause of dryer fires. 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and caused deaths, injuries, and millions of dollars in property loss.

refrigerator not staying cool or freezing

  • Check the thermostat to make sure it hasn’t been turned way down by mistake

  • Be sure the vents on the back of the freezer compartment aren’t blocked by

  • boxes of ice cream or frozen food packages-the vents have to be clear for cold air to circulate.

  • Vacuum the coils under or behind the fridge. Clogged coils can cause poor cooling

  • Clean the seals around the refrigerator doors to keep cool air from escaping

Smoke detectors

  • Change the batteries

  • If the problem persists, on the bottom of the smoke alarm is a reset button, press it! 3. Keep the reset button held for 30 seconds to reset it and make it stop chirping.

  • If the remains, please contact your Property Manager

keys and locks

If your locks are sticking, spray WD40 into the keyway and then insert the key a few times to get the lubricant working.

Broadsight Realty Property Management wants you to remember the most important thing :

Your landlord is responsible for the maintenance and repairs for your home, however these tips will help you address issues better and more efficiently for you and your landlord.