Ballard Rental Property Maintenance FAQs

These are a few things to know/ try before calling the office with a maintenance request.

Will I be charged for a maintenance repair?
If the malfunction is found to be the fault/misuse of the tenant you will be charged for the repair. This includes toilets that overflow due to excessive toilet paper, garbage disposals clogged with excessive food or debris, etc.

What if I requested a maintenance repair and no one has come to fix it?
Please wait at least 48 hours before calling again(if it is not an emergency). We contract out our maintenance and repairs must be arranged within their schedule. Once we call out a maintenance request we assume it has been taken care of so please call us if no one has come out to make the repair.

How do I know if my problem is an emergency or if I should wait until the next business day?
If there is a lot of water leaking onto the floor or if something is causing damage to the property it is an emergency. If you have not hot water, or no water at all, it is an emergency.
If you can put a bucket under a dripping faucet and wait until the next business day it is not an emergency. If your disposal stops working or your electricity is out, it is not an emergency.

What if my electricity is out or if some of my light fixtures/outlets are not working?
First be sure that you have transferred the electricity into your name beginning the day you picked up the keys. Be sure you are up to date on your bill. Check to see if the breaker needs flipped. If the outlet is GFI try pushing the reset button on the outlet(in the bathroom and kitchen). Make sure the bulb is new and working. If it is still not functioning after these attempts feel free to call the office.

What if my light bulb burns out?
You are responsible for replacing all bulbs while you are living in the apartment. If you just moved in and any bulbs are burnt out let us know immediately and we will replace them for you. If you cannot reach the bulbs you can buy a light bulb changing kit at a hardware store.

What if the smoke detector is beeping?
If the alarm is going off, get out of the apartment and call 911. If the smoke detector is beeping periodically, the battery needs replaced. This is the tenant’s responsibility while living there. This will require a 9 volt battery. Law requires all smoke detectors to be fully functioning at all times. A non functioning smoke detector puts your life as well as the lives of other tenants at risk.

What if my refrigerator and/or freezer is not getting cold enough?
Make sure it is plugged in. Check the circuit breaker, make sure it is on. Check the settings in the refrigerator, make sure they are set appropriately. Clean out all food, ice, debris from around the drain holes and ventilation areas. Defrost the freezer if ice is building up. If the refrigerator stops working call the office right away. We are not responsible for loss of food. This should be covered in your renter’s insurance.

What if my garbage disposal is not working?
If is not coming on at all check the circuit breaker, the hit the reset button on the bottom of the disposal. If it is making a humming sound something is probably stuck in it. Do Not Stick your Hand in the disposal! The garbage disposal is not for disposing of food. It is only for food particles. Large pieces of food can cause it to clog. Run the disposal, with the water running, after any food particles go in it. You can run the disposal with dish soap and ice cubes to help clean it out.

What if my dishwasher is not working properly?
If water /soap is overflowing out of the d/w while running, you may have used the wrong kind of soap. Make sure you use “dishwasher” detergent, not hand-washing dish soap. Tab soaps are also not recommended. Large pots can also block the proper disbursement of water causing it to flow out. You should also be sure that there is no food or utensils stuck at the bottom of the d/w.

What if water is leaking from the top of the sink when I run the dishwasher?
The dishwasher breather is the part that sticks out of the top of the kitchen sink, next to the faucet. Water will pour out of this if the line from the dishwasher to the sink is clogged with food. The line will need to be cleared out before using the dishwasher again. Be sure to rinse food particles off plates before putting in the dishwasher and running the garbage disposal after particles are put down the sink.

What if my toilet is clogged?
You are responsible for buying a plunger on hand to unclog your toilet. If water spills over the rim of the toilet and onto the floor, turn the water off at the base of the toilet immediately! You will be responsible for any damages incurred from an overflow. Once the water is shut off, clean up the water and call the office.

What if my sink or bathtub doesn’t drain well?
You are responsible for buying drain-o and keeping the drains clear of hair and debris. If drain-o does not work please call the office.

What if my sink is leaking out of the bottom?
Make sure the pipes are tightly secured. Place a bucket under the sink to keep the dripping water from causing any damage. Wipe the water off of the pipe and see exactly where the leak is coming from.

What if my washing machine/dryer is not working properly?
If the washer/dryer was brought in by you, you are responsible for the repairs. If the machines came with the property, check the breaker and plugs to make sure they are on. Malfunctions can also occur if there is too much clothes in 1 load. If there is too much clothes in the machines it can cause the washer to overflow and /or shake and bang. The dryer may also not dry all of the clothes properly if overloaded. If these things do not solve the problem please call the office.

What if I have mold or mildew?
We live in a wet climate in the Northwest and must take extra care to avoid this growth. You are responsible for avoiding mold and mildew build up and removal while you are a tenant. Some ways to avoid growth includes leaving the fan on in the bathroom for an appropriate amount of time after a shower. Keep boxes and furniture away from walls to allow air flow. Do not allow leaks to continue. Keep the heat on in your unit. Clean the tracks of the window sills when moisture builds up. Dry off condensation from window sills, toilet tanks, etc. Keep potted plants outside. If these steps do not stop the problem there may be a leak, please call the office right away.