A burst pipe, a broken AC in the dead of summer, or a power outage that leaves you in the dark—maintenance issues never happen at a convenient time. Whether you're debating if something is an emergency or not is critical to consider. After all, some problems require quick responses to prevent further damage and costly repairs. In this guide, we’ll break down non-emergencies, emergencies, and critical maintenance. Because when disaster strikes, a little preparation goes a long way.

Don’t Put Off Maintenance Requests

As outlined above, emergency maintenance is vital to your safety and well-being as a tenant and likely others as well. Submitting a maintenance request is always a good idea, even if the issue is not currently pressing. Something small could become a more significant issue if left unchecked, turning it into an emergency down the road.

As a renter, you want to ensure that your apartment is a safe place that is properly tended to. Living in a space that values your well-being is an essential factor. At CLV Group, our resident portal allows maintenance requests to be submitted quickly and easily, meeting your needs in the best possible way. Contact us to learn more about our policies or to inquire about available apartments.

Many choose apartment living for convenience. You don’t have to worry about cutting grass or shovelling snow; generally, most maintenance needs are handled by submitting a request. Your lease agreement will outline any specifics you need to know regarding these requests and ensure that things are repaired correctly and promptly. 

However, some things simply cannot wait. Select situations are often unpredictable and can cause immediate problems, but how can you tell if they are a maintenance emergency?

Types of Emergencies

Most maintenance emergencies can be clearly identified. This includes flooding and potential gas leaks. In the event of a fire, it is crucial that you contact 911 before contacting maintenance. Generally, your apartment should be kept at a reasonable temperature to ensure your safety. Still, if conditions fall below 10 to 32 degrees Celsius and your heating/cooling system isn’t working, this is one example of a maintenance emergency.

Classifying Non-Emergencies

Some things may happen in your apartment that are cause for concern but don’t pose an imminent threat. These include one of the burners on your stove not heating up, a leaky tap in the bathroom, or the AC not turning on at 20 degrees Celsius. Although inconvenient, not having hot water is also not considered an emergency. Sometimes, you may want to contact your utility company to check if they are doing work in the area before submitting a maintenance request.

Dealing with Non-Emergencies

Putting forward a maintenance request is easy to deal with in a non-emergency. However, you can attempt to do so if you are within your agreement and capable of repairing certain things. Consider changing the batteries in your smoke alarm, for instance, or replacing the filter on your AC unit. Ensure that you review your rental agreement to see if there are any concerns that you are empowered to handle on your own. 

Defining a Maintenance Emergency

Although inconveniences, wherever you live, are a part of life, a maintenance emergency falls under essential criteria. It is something that requires immediate attention when, if left unchecked, it could result in injury, pose a threat to your health, or cause drastic property damage. In other words, it is a pressing issue that could result in dangerous (and expensive) consequences.

Common Emergencies

Living in an apartment building means you could face several potential emergencies. While not a comprehensive list, here are some key events that warrant an immediate call to your building superintendent or landlord: 

• Fire
• Flooding
• Electrical spark
• Gas leak
• Broken door or window
• Carbon monoxide detected
• A break-in

For some of these scenarios, like a break–in or fire, it’s best to call 911 first and then inform your landlord thereafter. However, instances like a broken door or flooding do not require the authorities but would be considered emergency maintenance. 

Critical Maintenance

On top of non-emergency and emergency maintenance, there is also critical maintenance. These types of issues are problems that require fixing before they can become more significant issues. 

These are urgent maintenance issues that, while not requiring a 911 call, still demand immediate attention. Addressing them promptly can prevent more serious problems from developing. For example, a leaking pipe could pose significant risks to you and other tenants. Landlords must be notified of these issues as soon as they arise so they can take swift action to protect residents.

How Long Does it Take to Resolve Maintenance Requests?

In Ontario, there is no legally mandated timeframe for resolving non-emergency maintenance requests—landlords are simply required to address them within a reasonable period. However, many property management companies, like CLV Group, offer dedicated 24-hour emergency maintenance services to handle urgent issues that don’t require a 911 call. This ensures that critical problems, such as plumbing leaks, electrical failures, or heating malfunctions, are addressed promptly, minimizing potential damage and keeping tenants safe.