Moving in and out
What counts as an emergency repair in an apartment?
Updated By the Housing Rocket moderators
Short answer
An emergency is anything that threatens safety or will quickly cause serious damage: a gas smell, fire, flooding or a burst pipe, sewage backing up, no heat in freezing weather, a loss of power to your unit, or an exterior door that won't lock. Call the landlord's emergency line right away rather than using the regular portal.
For a gas smell, fire or anything that puts people in danger, get out and call 911 or the gas company first, then the landlord.
While you wait:
- Know where the main water shutoff and each toilet and sink valve are, and learn this before you need it
- Find the breaker panel and label it if it isn't labeled
- Move belongings away from water, and take photos and video of the damage
- Keep receipts if you have to buy fans, towels or a hotel night, and ask the landlord in writing about reimbursement
Things that usually aren't emergencies: a broken dishwasher, a slow drain, a burned-out light, a dripping faucet. Report those through the normal channel.
If the landlord can't be reached during a true emergency, some states let tenants arrange urgent repairs and recover the cost, but the rules vary. Keep a record of every attempt to contact them.
Want the whole picture? Read Renting Your First Apartment: Applications, Leases and Move-in Costs.