Repairs and Maintenance in Common Areas (in apartments)

A tenant has a legal right to live in an apartment that is well-maintained. This entails that maintenance of the major essentials in the residency should be fast and efficient so that everything remains in perfect condition. And in case of damages, tenants have a right to lodge a complaint to get the repair issues sorted out as quickly as possible. To this end, owners and managers of the area maintain a legal framework where any repair issues are addressed. Most apartment owners and managers also take into account the convenience of the tenants and make sure that each work request is attended to within a reasonable time.

Repairs and maintenance in common areas will be organized by the landlord, where the arrangement is made with the association or body corporate. All tenants will be informed of their services and how to seek them out.

Understanding the Legal Importance of Repairs and Maintenance in Common Areas

It is crucial to realize that landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that their properties are safe and habitable. In the case of a residential property, the landlord is expected to regularly inspect the place in order to ensure the safety of the tenant and to fix issues that might arise. The tenant also has a responsibility to look after the property, including taking reasonable precautions against theft and vandalism and notifying the landlord of any major damage.

Repairs and Maintenance in Common Areas

As a property owner or an apartment manager, it is your responsibility to make sure that the building is safe and secure for the tenants. This sense of responsibility is a legal and moral obligation that not just enhances the reputation of the business entity but also helps build a strong community. To help you with this, we have put together a list of recurring maintenance tasks that all property owners and apartment managers should be aware of.

Walls and Paint

It is obvious that if there was a previous tenant, the walls would not look clean, so ensure to paint them. If there are other significant damages on the wall, such as doorknob holes and generally the moisture of the wall, it may require you as a property owner to have a drywall patch kit to fix the whole mess.

Doors and Locks

If you have noticed any difficulty with your door, it is better to get it repaired than to ignore it and stack up the cost. Door repairs are, in most cases, less expensive and much more convenient than replacing the whole door altogether. Getting expert assistance is essential in order to avoid any serious problems in the future.

There are many aspects to look at while repairing the doors of your premises. You have to make sure that the hinges are in working condition, and then check the locks to ensure that they are functional. In addition to this, make sure that the deadbolt connecting your door to the frame is in perfect shape.

Windows and Screens

Repairs and maintenance in common areas are in place to ensure that tenants have a smooth experience in living and enjoying their homes. As a part of this, small is big in windows and screens.

Ensure your windows are without cracks, chips, and/or foggy spaces by inspecting them carefully. These are telltale signs that something bad is on the way, and before you know it, you could be paying more to repair the problem. Also, check the frames and seals for any cracks, holes, and/or discoloration. It’s not a bad idea to be on the safe side and periodically inspect your window screens for any signs of damage that can render them useless to serve their purpose. Contacting a local professional contractor right away is always the best option, so they can avail of a timely window repair or replacement service as needed.

Electric Outlets/Fixtures

Electric Outlets/Fixtures include things like broken outlet faceplates, damaged or non-functioning smoke detectors, loose plugs or switches. Broken or missing cover plates and plastic outlet plugs are a pretty significant safety issue. It may also allow moisture and insects to enter the wall, and electrocution or death by an electric shock is a very real possibility.

Thus, a responsible tenant should always report such defects to their landlord, and landlords have moral and legal obligations to repair these defects. Repairs and maintenance in common areas are in place to make your experience a comfortable one, but often that is only possible if you have given ample time before you file a formal complaint. But quick repairs and maintenance with ultimate professional goals in mind are encouraged.

A certified electrician should be notified to handle any defective electrical work to avoid further injuries and legal trouble.

Pest Extermination

Repairs and maintenance in common areas are in place to provide tenants with a safe and convenient place to live with their families. This would not be possible without effective pest extermination. When it comes to time for pest extermination, you will also have to look at the need to replace any damaged or substandard materials, resolving sanitation problems, and clearing out fumigating chemicals.

Pests such as rats, termites, bedbugs can be a nightmare and can cause severe damage to the property and sanitation issues with the property. Pests get attracted to the convenient supply of food, along with poor hygiene, and are often associated with trash, leaked sewage, or mold. This can discourage tenants from coming back. Professional recommend engaging with licensed pest-control agencies to handle any infestation or problem.

Plumbing Fixtures

The plumbing fixtures for residences include sinks, bathtubs, showers, toilets, and all the piping that connects them. These are critical and must be up to par with modern standards. Various drainage and plumbing fixtures require regular checks and maintenance to ensure their function. Such as fixtures could back up or leak due to faulty pipes and gas lines. This could cause hefty maintenance and repairs costs to bring fixtures up to standards. Any leaking of plumbing fixtures can cause serious damage to your property and will increase your common area repair bills.

Repairs and maintenance in common areas are applicable to all commercial and residential settings. This gives apartment owners and apartment managers a kind of framework and support with which repairs issues and concerns can get addressed. Plumbing Fixtures play an important role in the lives of families who require them in their everyday functioning. Water is indispensable, which is why it is necessary to investigate any kind of smaller or larger plumbing problems and to repair or replace the parts in need of updating or repair.

Heating Facilities/Appliances

Radiators and baseboard heaters being electro-mechanical systems are poised for certain issues. Some of the usual problems are as follows: improper shut down upon power down, leakage of fluids, inconvenient temperature ranges, irregular turning on and off when commanded, and so forth. If the heating system fails, it is important to have it looked at immediately by an expert to avoid possible safety hazards and damages that can further snowball into bigger problems. You must have a holistic approach to take care of any heating system and make sure that everything is running smoothly. Contacting a professional HVAC company with a reputation for reliability and expertise is recommended.

Repairs and maintenance in common areas are not confined to the issues mentioned above. These are the most common and frequent issues that will always remain relevant. This is where the apartment owner, manager, and tenants collaborate to make things right. It is the duty of everyone to make sure that the common areas are well-managed and looked after.

How Property Managers & Landlords Can Effectively Handle Repairs and Maintenance

Taking advantage of evolving technology, primarily iBillding, property managers and landlords are increasingly taking on a more proactive, rather than reactive, approach to repairs.

iBillding is a powerful, efficient, and adaptive application that empowers apartment managers to accurately document repair issues and track repair status along with many other common and specialized tasks. iBillding also provides critical data that is needed to determine cost-effective and responsible repair costs.

Make repairs and maintenance in common areas a breeze with iBillding!