Apartment Shopping, Leasing, Rental Tips: 2026

Tuesday

Maintenance Requests: A Property Manager's Plea

Let's discuss maintenance. As a property manager, I wasn't a mind reader. I relied on residents to let me know when something wasn't working correctly in their apartment. But there's a right way and a wrong way to submit those requests.

Report Issues Promptly: Don't wait until a small leak turns into a major flood to report it. The sooner we know about a problem, the easier (and cheaper!) it is to fix.
Be Specific: "My sink is broken" isn't helpful. "The cold water faucet in the bathroom sink is constantly dripping" gives us much more to work with. The more detail you provide, the better prepared maintenance will be when they arrive.
Understand Emergency vs. Non-Emergency: A fire? A burst pipe? Those are emergencies! Call immediately. A running toilet or a loose cabinet door? Those are non-emergencies. Submit a maintenance request through the proper channels (online portal, email, etc.).
Be Patient (But Persistent): We have a lot of units to manage, and maintenance requests are handled in order of priority. If you haven't heard back in a reasonable amount of time (check your lease for guidelines), follow up politely.
Why it matters: Reporting maintenance issues promptly not only keeps your apartment in good condition but also helps prevent further damage to the property and potentially avoids costs to you.

The Lease is Your Friend (Read It!)

Hey everyone, it's your former property manager here! I've seen a lot during my time in the apartment industry, and one thing that always surprised me was how many residents didn't read their lease agreement [1][2]. I get it, it's a long document, full of legal jargon, and honestly, kind of boring. But trust me, taking the time to read and understand your lease can save you a lot of headaches down the road [1][3].

What's in the lease? Your lease outlines everything – rent amount, due dates, late fee policies, pet policies (if applicable), rules about modifications to the apartment, and procedures for renewals or ending your lease [1][4].
Why is it important? The lease is a legally binding contract [1][5]. If you violate any of the terms, you could face penalties, including eviction [6].
Real-life example: I once had a resident who adopted a dog, even though the lease clearly stated "no pets allowed." They were shocked when they received a notice to remove the pet or face eviction. If they had read the lease carefully, they would have known the pet policy beforehand [1].
My advice: Before you sign anything, read the entire lease agreement thoroughly. If you have any questions, ask! Don't be afraid to clarify anything you don't understand. It's much better to be informed upfront than to face unexpected consequences later [2][4].