Thursday, May 10, 2012

I thought it was an emergency

When you signed your lease you were given emails, phone numbers and business hours for your landlord or property management company.  And probably also an emergency number unless you're renting from Mom and Pop.  When can you call that number and what is an emergency?
Let's start with what is not an emergency.  Locking yourself out or losing your keys is your emergency, not ours.  During regular business hours you can contact your landlord and get a key to copy and return.  After business hours you need to find a friend's couch to sleep on.  If you know you're prone to this issue get yourself a hide-a-key or a lockbox with an extra key.  Or know lots of friends with cushy couches.
A break in your sprinkler line is not an emergency.  Skunks outside your apartment is not an emergency. 
Some emergencies require a 911 call.  Fire?  Call 911.  Your landlord is not a fireman.  Smell gas?  Call the gas company.  Neighbors partying at 2 a.m.?  Call the police.
Emergencies you can call your landlord for are primarily plumbing related and would be things like:  uncontrolled gushing water (not a drippy faucet) and a backed up toilet in a unit with only one toilet.  Most everything else is a 911 call or can wait until Monday morning.

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