--- title: 7 Emergency Property Maintenance Calls that Can't Wait Until Morning description: Property maintenance is essential, so property managers need to know about these 7 emergency calls that can't wait until the morning. image: https://www.hometeampm.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/iStock-480216604.jpg --- [![Group 5068](https://www.hometeampm.com/hubfs/Group%205068.svg "Group 5068")](https://www.hometeampm.com) - [About](https://www.hometeampm.com/about/about-hpm) - [Our Company It’s been over 20 years and our goal hasn’t changed](https://www.hometeampm.com/about/about-hpm) - [Our Team Meet the Home Team Property Management Team](https://www.hometeampm.com/our-team) - [Why Choose Us No matter your property management goals, we will get you there](https://www.hometeampm.com/why-choose-us) - [Careers Take a look at our open positions and feel free to submit an application if your experience is a match](https://www.hometeampm.com/about/about-hpm) - [Vendors We are continually seeking out qualified, professional vendors to fulfill goods or maintenance contracts](https://www.hometeampm.com/about/vendor-relations) - [Connect With Us Reach out to our expert team to see how we can assist you with your property management needs](https://www.hometeampm.com/contact-us) - [Testimonials Read HomeTeam Property Management client testimonials here](https://www.hometeampm.com/testimonials) - [MANAGEMENT SERVICES](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services) - [Residential View our residential property management services](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services/residential-management) - [Commercial View our commercial property management services](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services/commercial-management) - [Marketing View how we market your property to prospective tenants](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services/marketing) - [Accounting We specialize in complete financial services for our property owners](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services/accounting) - [Maintenance Property maintenance is one of the most important aspects of maximizing your investment](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services/maintenance) - [Leasing Our leasing department utilizes the latest in application and credit screening procedures](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services/leasing) - [Free Rental Analysis Get a free rental valuation of your investment property](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services) - [Get a Quote Learn how much it would cost to manage your property](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services/getting-started) - [OWNERS](https://www.hometeampm.com/owners) - [Marketing Your Property Learn how we market your property to ensure the maximum exposure to qualified buyers](https://www.hometeampm.com/owners/marketing-your-property) - [Renting Your Property We provide you with guidance on how to ready your property to compete in the ever-changing rental market](https://www.hometeampm.com/owners/renting-your-property) - [Maintaining Your Property The best approach to maintenance is preventative maintenance, and this is HomeTeam Property Management policy](https://www.hometeampm.com/owners/maintaining-your-property) - [No - Eviction Guarantee We are so confident in our tenant selection process that we include a No-Eviction Guarantee](https://www.hometeampm.com/owners/no-eviction-guarantee) - [Free Rental Analysis Get a free rental valuation of your investment property](https://www.hometeampm.com/owners) - [Owner Portal Login Sign-in to monitor your account](https://hometeam.appfolio.com/oportal/users/log_in) - [Get a Quote Learn how much it would cost to manage your property](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services/getting-started) - [TENANTS](https://www.hometeampm.com/tenants) - [Rental Search Find your next place to live in San Diego](https://www.hometeampm.com/properties) - [Tenant Portal Login Sign-in to monitor your account](https://hometeam.appfolio.com/connect/users/sign_in) - [Pay Your Rent Paying rent on time has never been easier](https://www.hometeampm.com/tenants/pay-your-rent) - [Future Tenants Important information for tenants wanting to lease a property from HomeTeam](https://www.hometeampm.com/tenants/future-tenants) - [Move Out We want your move-out to be a pleasant and successful one](https://www.hometeampm.com/tenants/move-out) - [Notice To Vacate Moving out? Submit your notice to vacate here!](https://www.hometeampm.com/tenants/notice-to-vacate) - [PROPERTIES](https://www.hometeampm.com/properties) - [Residential Find your next place to live in San Diego](https://www.hometeampm.com/properties) - [Commercial Find your next space to do business in San Diego](https://www.hometeampm.com/properties) - AGENT REFERRAL PROGRAM - [Learning Center](https://www.hometeampm.com/blog) - [Free Resources Access valuable resources and information at no cost](https://www.hometeampm.com/blog) - [Blog Stay informed with our insightful articles and updates](https://www.hometeampm.com/blog) - LOGIN - [Tenant Login Sign-in to monitor your account](https://hometeam.appfolio.com/connect/users/sign_in) - [Owner Login Sign-in to monitor your account](https://hometeam.appfolio.com/oportal/users/log_in) # 7 Emergency Property Maintenance Calls that Can't Wait Until Morning HomeTeam Property Management  | 28 June 2018 Share - [![icon-fb](https://www.hometeampm.com/hubfs/Home_Team_2022/image/icon-fb.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.hometeampm.com/blog/7-emergency-property-maintenance-calls-that-cant-wait-until-morning&title=7+Emergency+Property+Maintenance+Calls+that+Can%27t+Wait+Until+Morning&picture=https://21589715.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21589715/Imported_Blog_Media/iStock-480216604.jpg&description=Property+maintenance+is+essential%2C+so+property+managers+need+to+know+about+these+7+emergency+calls+that+can%27t+wait+until+the+morning.) - [![icon-twitter](https://www.hometeampm.com/hubfs/Home_Team_2022/image/icon-twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?source=https://www.hometeampm.com/blog/7-emergency-property-maintenance-calls-that-cant-wait-until-morning&text=7+Emergency+Property+Maintenance+Calls+that+Can%27t+Wait+Until+Morning%20-%20https://www.hometeampm.com/blog/7-emergency-property-maintenance-calls-that-cant-wait-until-morning) - [![icon-youtube](https://www.hometeampm.com/hubfs/Home_Team_2022/image/icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.hometeampm.com/blog/7-emergency-property-maintenance-calls-that-cant-wait-until-morning&title=7+Emergency+Property+Maintenance+Calls+that+Can%27t+Wait+Until+Morning&summary=Property+maintenance+is+essential%2C+so+property+managers+need+to+know+about+these+7+emergency+calls+that+can%27t+wait+until+the+morning.) ![property-maintenance-emergency-flood](https://www.hometeampm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/iStock-480216604-1.jpg?width=640&name=iStock-480216604-1.jpg "property-maintenance-emergency-flood") Despite some of the crazy stuff you see in the business, property management is no laughing matter. You, the tenant, and the landlord [work as a team sharing responsibilities to keep the property and the tenants safe](https://www.hometeampm.com/preventative-property-maintenance-tenants-owners-property-managers). When you get an emergency call from a tenant about a maintenance or repair concern, they usually fall into one of three categories. - **48 Hours**: Reasonable but not urgent concerns. Tenants are usually satisfied if repairs take a little time to complete, especially if it requires some contractor work - **24 Hours**: Important but not life or property threatening, best to take care of these quickly - **NOW**: The tenant and/or property are actively at risk and immediate action is necessary. It's especially important to know the difference between these categories when you get an emergency call late at night or when you're busy with something else. The first two categories can wait until morning for you to get out to the property with your toolkit and check it out. The final category usually involves electricity, gas, or gushing water and you might as well get up and splash some cold water on your face because there's no time to waste. Here are 7 examples of absolutely urgent emergency calls you might get as a property manager. **1) Power Outage** As the landlord's maintenance representative, it falls on your shoulders to make sure tenants have their essential utilities and power is vital to modern living. Of course, there's power outages you can help with and those you can't, and it's important to know the difference before you drag yourself out of bed. If the whole block is out, it's out of your hands. Next is the blown breaker, which you can sleepily walk your worried tenant through over the phone. If it's neither of these things, or if the report mentions dangerous indicators like sparks, it's time to grab your keys and toolbox. **2) Drains Backing Up** Any time water is coming up in places or ways it shouldn't, the property should be considered in immediate danger as water damage is one of the most insidious and difficult to fix. If the problem were a slow drip you might reasonably ask the tenant to catch it in a pot and you'll see them in the morning. However, once gray water and sewage start coming up through the drains the property has become unlivable and the tenants must be rescued. **3) Broken Heating in the Winter** Heat falls under special rules of property maintenance if the ambient outdoor temperature is lower than 60 degrees. If the heat goes out on a property you're responsible for, especially in the colder months, the tenants need immediate assistance as this poses a health threat to anyone in less than optimal physical condition. **4) Water Outage** If the water stops flowing to your tenants, this is a major problem and must be addressed quickly. Tenants need water to live, even more than they need power, and it's your job to get it back to them. Unfortunately, water outages don't have nearly as many easy over-the-phone alternatives as power so chances are that water outages will at the very least have you Googling if something's wrong with the local water supply and may result in a temporary hotel room for your tenants. **5) Extreme Leaking** Gushing water, no matter how it happened, where it's coming from, or where it's going must always be addressed with a quickness. While your tenants may be fine (if damp), now your primary concern is the health and well being of the property. Water damage is a major concern and the more you can prevent, the better. **6) Gas Smell** If you're not a fan of fire and explosions on your properties, a call about gas smell should have you jumping out of bed before the next word is spoken. While often it's something like pilot light that has gone out, there are enough emergency scenarios that you want to get yourself and your toolbox over to the property right away just in case it's more along the lines of a gas pipe that has finally rusted all the way through. At the very least, you can shut off the gas at the source to keep everyone safe while you hunt down the problem. **7) Power Surges** Sometimes dangerous power issues are not outages, but the opposite. Melting appliance plugs, large sparks, and other alarming reports involving outlets or light fixtures are cause for immediate alarm. Your first action should be instructing the tenant to steer clear of the outlets and light switches. If the issue sounds really scary, you can walk them through shutting things off at the breaker box while you're on your way over. When a tenant calls at 2 AM on a week night, it's always tempting to tell them to wait until morning and get the rest of your beauty sleep, but that's not always an option. As a property manager, sometimes you are the only person standing between worried tenants and a devastating house fire. Waking up out of a sound sleep to rescue tenants is the work of heroes. ![icon](https://www.hometeampm.com/hubfs/Home_Team_2022/Group%205168%20(1).svg) #### SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE THE LATEST NEWS Stay in the know with the latest news form the leaders in property management ### Subscribe Here! ### Popular Posts #### The Great Pet Debate: To Allow Pets In Your... | HomeTeam Property Management | 30 January 2020 When you become a landlord, it is up to you to decide what you will... [READ FULL POST](https://www.hometeampm.com/blog/great-pet-debate-allow-pets-in-apartment) #### What Counts as a Rental Home Maintenance... | HomeTeam Property Management | 11 November 2020 Tenants are often shy about calling for repairs from their landlords... [READ FULL POST](https://www.hometeampm.com/blog/what-counts-as-a-rental-home-maintenance-emergency) #### How Many Pets Should Be Permitted Inside Your... | HomeTeam Property Management | 16 June 2020 It's estimated that 67% of all families in the U.S. own at least one... [READ FULL POST](https://www.hometeampm.com/blog/how-many-pets-should-be-permitted-inside-your-property) ## SIMILAR POSTS #### 5 Ways a Property Management Team can Keep Your Tenants and Properties Safe | HomeTeam Property Management  | 24 January 2012 If you are a property owner looking to rent out units, it can feel like a lot of responsibility... [READ FULL POST](https://www.hometeampm.com/blog/property-management-team-keep-tenants-properties-safe) #### The 6-Month Property Maintenance Checklist | HomeTeam Property Management  | 21 January 2020 When you're renting a property, it's hard to think about maintenance in the long term. Many renters... [READ FULL POST](https://www.hometeampm.com/blog/6-month-property-maintenance-checklist) #### Five Ways Working with a Property Manager can Actually Save Owners Money | HomeTeam Property Management  | 15 May 2018 If you own rental properties, it can be a headache to keep all details, emergencies, and day-to-day... [READ FULL POST](https://www.hometeampm.com/blog/working-property-manager-save-owners-money) #### Property Managers: More Tips to Find the Right Property to Buy | HomeTeam Property Management  | 26 September 2017 Once property managers decide to invest in rental properties, they need to find the right one. This... [READ FULL POST](https://www.hometeampm.com/blog/more-tips-for-property-managers) [![hometeam-logo](https://www.hometeampm.com/hubfs/Hometeam%20Webiste/Footer/hometeam-logo.svg "hometeam-logo")](https://www.hometeampm.com) In 1992, HomeTeam Property Management started with a simple goal: **To provide clients with quality property management services to maintain their investment.** [![icon-facebook](https://www.hometeampm.com/hubfs/Hometeam%20Webiste/Footer/icon-facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/HomeTeamPropertyManagement) [![icon-twitter](https://www.hometeampm.com/hubfs/Hometeam%20Webiste/Footer/icon-twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/hometeampm) [![icon-youtube](https://www.hometeampm.com/hubfs/Hometeam%20Webiste/Footer/icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/hometeampm/videos) #### NAVIGATION - [About](https://www.hometeampm.com/about/about-hpm) - [Management Services](https://www.hometeampm.com/management-services) - [Owners](https://www.hometeampm.com/owners) - [Tenants](https://www.hometeampm.com/tenants) - [Properties](https://www.hometeampm.com/properties) #### CONTACT US **San Diego Office** 821 Bowsprit Road Chula Vista, CA 91914 **Phone:** [(619) 872-7368](tel:619-872-7368) [(855) 450-7368](tel:855-450-7368) #### SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOG Stay in the know with the latest news form the leaders in property management © 2022 **Hometeam Property Management.** All Rights Reserved. - [Privacy Policy](https://www.hometeampm.com/privacy-policy) Hometeam Property Management is committed to ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Including incorporating the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 (https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/) and applying Level A Success Criteria and conformance Requirements. [*Website by Geekly Media*](https://www.geeklymedia.com/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "HomeTeam Property Management", "url" : "https://www.hometeampm.com/blog/author/hometeam-property-management" }, "dateModified" : "2022-09-23T07:22:09.373Z", "datePublished" : "2018-06-28T16:15:00.000Z", "headline" : "7 Emergency Property Maintenance Calls that Can't Wait Until Morning", "image" : [ "https://www.hometeampm.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/iStock-480216604.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.hometeampm.com/blog/7-emergency-property-maintenance-calls-that-cant-wait-until-morning", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.hometeampm.com/hubfs/logo%20(1).png" }, "name" : "HomeTeam Property Management" } } ```