Report it right away. Some problems worsen if left unchecked, such as dry rot and leaks. Tenants may be liable for the damage caused by unreported problems.

Some time has passed and no repair person has contacted me for an appointment

Please contact us so we may address the problem.

You have made an appointment with the repair person

Be sure to keep the appointment. If nobody is present when a repair person arrives at the appointed time, and you have not rescheduled the appointment, you will be charged for the service call.

The repair person failed to show up for the appointment

Please call or email us so we may address the problem.

The repair did not hold

Please call us immediately so that we may have the repair person or a new vendor make it right.

The repair is completed

Please call or email us so that we can note it accordingly.

First, make sure that everything is plugged in and all switches are turned to the "ON" position. Make sure there is no timer that is set, preventing normal operation, such as on a programmable heating/air system.

Garbage disposal not working

"Stir" the disposal blades with the handle of a broomstick or other such item. This will often dislodge whatever is causing the unit to jam up. If this does not work, try pressing the reset button, usually found under the sink on the disposal unit. Disconnect power to the unit and then make sure no foreign object has been placed in the disposal. Things such as chicken bones, toys, bottle caps, onion skin, celery, chicken skin and more will get stuck in the blades and cause the disposal to cease working.

Heat/air conditioner not working

If it is an electric unit, shut off all the switches at the breaker box, wait several minutes and then turn them all back on again.

Are you enrolled in the Peak Corp program? Your system may be "cycled" by SMUD without your knowledge or your control.

Too little heat/air

Change your heating/air conditioning filter. Clogged filters cause the system to work harder and impedes the flow of air through the ducts.

Electrical problems

Flip all breakers to the "OFF" position, wait a few minutes and flip them back on.

Range/oven

If it is a gas unit, call PG&E first. Sometimes PG&E can fix small problems, such as the pilot light, at no charge.

Water leaks

Call the appropriate water department first as it may sometimes be the city or county's responsibility depending on where the problem is. If not, they will tell you. If it is, they will fix it promptly.

Windows/screens

Windows and screens damaged during tenancy are your responsibility. If glass is broken, immediate replacement must be made with like-kind materials and quality. You may assign repairs that are your responsibility, but a professional job is expected. No deductions from rent will be permitted nor reimbursements of any kind made unless specific arrangements are made in advance.

This could cause water damage to the foundation of the house.

It could kill the tree

It may invite vermin or damage the roof)

Unchecked leaks could lead to extensive and expensive damage that may become the tenant's responsibility

COMMON CAUSES CONSIDERED TO BE ABUSE AND/OR NEGLIGENCE

Garbage disposal

Attempting to dispose of unacceptable stuffs (e.g.: chicken skin, celery, egg shells, onion skins, artichokes, bones, potato peels, and much more)

Placing too much matter in the disposal at one time

Running the disposal for too long or without enough cold water running

Dishwasher

Leaving food residue on the dishes when placing them in the dishwasher

Running it less than once every other month, causing seals to dry out

Range

Using oven cleaner on self-cleaning oven (ruins interior surface)

Grease accumulation on or around burners (can cause electrical fire)

Food spills and overflows (can clog burner lines, ruin elements)

Central heat/air

Failure to change the filter every two or three months, which can lead to emission of dangerous fumes, as well as higher heating/AC bills

Fireplace

Leaving the damper closed when starting a fire

Using lighter fluid on wood

Building too large a fire for the size of the fireplace

Leaving the screen/glass doors open while a fire or embers are burning

Bathroom

Foreign objects dropped into toilet bowl

Using excessive amounts of toilet tissue at one time

Flushing inappropriate matter (e.g.: cigarette butts, paper towels, etc)

Grease and/or hair build-up in pipes

Not using the fan or opening the window while showering, causing mildew

Water splashing out of tub/shower (damages floors, ceilings, causes dry rot)

Telephone wiring damage

Additional telephone jacks/wiring is NOT permitted without prior written approval. If approved, installation and removal must be done by a professional technician.

Closets

Over-stuffing, which can cause sliding doors to slip off track and break

Excessive weight hanging on the clothes rods, causing rods to fall/break