What Counts as an Apartment Maintenance Emergency?
It's 11 p.m. and something is wrong in your apartment. Is it worth calling the emergency line, or should it wait for the morning? Knowing the difference helps you get urgent problems fixed fast and keeps the emergency line free for the people who really need it. Here's a practical guide.
Call for Help Right Away
Some situations are about safety, not repairs. If anyone is in danger, call 911 first, then notify the property.
● Fire, smoke, or sparking or burning electrical equipment
● The smell of gas: leave the unit immediately, don't use switches or flames, and call 911 or the gas utility from outside
● Carbon monoxide alarm sounding
● Flooding or a burst pipe that you can't stop
Typical Maintenance Emergencies
These problems usually can't wait until business hours, and most properties expect you to report them to the emergency line immediately:
● No heat during cold weather, which matters a great deal in an Ohio winter
● No running water, or a major leak or overflowing toilet that you can't contain
● Sewage backup
● A total loss of electricity in the unit that isn't a utility outage
● A broken exterior door, window, or lock that leaves the unit unsecured
Routine Requests That Can Wait
● A dripping faucet or running toilet that you can control by shutting off the water at the fixture
● A slow drain
● A burned-out light bulb or a flickering fixture
● An appliance that isn't working, such as a dishwasher, when there's no leak or smoke
● Cosmetic issues like paint, caulk, or a sticking cabinet
Submit these through the online request system and describe the problem, where it is, and when it started. Photos help.
What to Do While You Wait
● Shut off the water at the fixture or the main valve if there's a leak, and ask your property where the shut-offs are when you move in
● Move belongings away from water and use towels to limit damage
● Take photos or video of the problem and any damage for your records
● Note the time you reported it and who you spoke with
Why It Matters When Choosing an Apartment
Rent is flat to slightly down across much of Columbus this fall, with Apartment List showing a 0.3% year-over-year decline and Zumper about 5%, so renters have room to compare more than price. How a property handles an after-hours emergency is one of the things you'll care about most, and one you can only learn by asking. Find out how the emergency line works, who answers, and how requests are tracked.
Woodcroft Apartments: 24/7 Emergency Maintenance
Woodcroft Apartments offers 24/7 emergency maintenance and online service requests, with friendly on-site management. Our leasing team can explain exactly how to reach emergency maintenance when you move in. One bedroom, one bath and two bedroom, one bath homes in the Northern Woods area of Columbus run from $950 to $1,250 a month, each with central air and heat, a fully equipped kitchen, side-by-side washer and dryer hookups, and spacious walk-in closets with extra storage.
Water, sewer, and garbage are included in rent. The community has a pool and ample on-site parking, and is pet friendly, subject to size and breed restrictions, a pet deposit, and monthly pet rent.
See How We Handle It
Call 614-985-1950 or email leasing@continentcolumbus.com to ask about our maintenance process or schedule a tour. More details are available at woodcroftapt.com.
In any emergency involving danger to life or safety, call 911 first. This post is general information and doesn't replace instructions from your property, utility, or local emergency services.
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