Troubleshooting 101
Tenants are typically responsible for ensuring their property stays clean, sanitary and in good repair.
A landlord is not generally responsible for making repairs caused by a tenants own fault or if their guests damage anything.
There are some simple maintenance tasks that tenants can perform themselves to resolve minor issues without making an appointment for a service call out and potentially having to pay a trip charge.
Spartan Property Management has provided the following maintenance tips and guide for tenants to troubleshoot problems.
For specifics regarding your responsibilities as a tenant, please refer to your Lease Agreement and Maintenance Addendum.
1. Clogged Toilet
Use a plunger with quick motion, you may need rubber gloves!!
Pour a bucket of water down the toilet to unclog it after plunging.
2. Running toilet
Often this can be caused by the flapper not sealing. If this happens you need to replace the flapper. To test this, place a couple drops of food coloring into the tank. Leave for a couple hours. If the color has seeped into the bowl you will know that the flapper is not sealing.
3. Washing machine not working properly or at all
Check if the washing machine taps are on at the wall.
Check if the appliance is switched on at the wall.
Check that the lid / door is closed.
Check if the settings are turned on correctly on the actual machine.
If the machine has stopped part way 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.
4. Garbage disposal not working or smelling
Reset the safety switch under the bottom of the disposal unit.
Check for a blockage in the sink around the blades but be sure to MAKE SURE ITS SWITCHED OFF FIRST.
Tip: Don't put items such as chicken bones, onion peel or corn husks in the disposal
If your garbage disposal is smelling, a great chemical free way to freshen it is to put ice cubes and lemon peel in it.
5. Slow or clogged drains.. unclog without using harsh chemical drain cleaners
Remove hair and/or debris from the drain.
Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain and then add 1/2 cup baking soda, leave to sit for a few minutes then pour 1 cup white wine vinegar with 1 cup hot water. Leave for 5-10 minutes and then run the tap for a minute to rinse through.
6. No hot water
Check the hot water tank to see if it is leaking.
Check the fuse box for tripped breaker switch.
If it is a gas water heater check the pilot light is on, if not and you can't turn it back on call your gas provider for instructions or for them to come to your property.
7. No power
Check that your fuse box has not tripped a breaker switch. If it has, then reset it by moving the switch all the way off and then back on.
Check your appliances, unplug them all, then reset the breaker. Plug in one appliance at a time to then find the faulty appliance.
If no result call the power company to see if there are any power outages in your neighborhood.
8. Dryer not working
Ensure it is switched on at the wall and on the actual machine.
Dryers can automatically shut down due to an overload of lint in the filter.
Check whether the filter needs to be cleaned out, REMEMBER TO ALWAYS CLEAN YOUR FILTER AFTER EACH USE!!
2900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year, causing deaths, injuries and millions of dollars in property loss.
9. Refrigerator not staying cold or freezing
Check that the thermostat has not been turned down by mistake.
Ensure the vents on the back are not blocked, these must be clear for cold air to circulate.
Vacuum the coils at the back of the fridge, if these become blocked it can create poor cooling.
Ensure the seals around the door of the fridge are clean as if not it will allow the cool air to escape.
10. Dishwasher
Check that it is switched on at the wall.
Make sure that the door is closed fully and that the safety switch is on at the wall.
Ensure you are using proper detergent for dishwashers only.
11. HVAC issues
Air conditioning won't turn on
Check that the air conditioner is connected to the power. Usually this is near or even on the external a/c box. If it's on, switch off for 5 minutes and then back on.
Air conditioning not cooling
Check that it is set on COOLING mode and not on Fan or Heat Mode.
Ensure the filter is clean, ensure you are changing these regularly. (If you are enrolled in our filter delivery service with Second Nature you should receive new filters every 60 days!)
Airconditioning Leaking
If your air conditioner is leaking and starts to drip water internally to the house or you smell or feel damp areas, turn it off immediately and notify the property manager.
12. Garage remote not working
Firstly check that the batteries in the remote are not flat
Switch them out and see if a new ones fix the issue
Check that the garage electric motor is plugged in and turned on
Check that the manual override lever (this is usually attached to a chain which comes out of the motor and has a string and handle attached) check that it has not been pulled and disengaged from the chain