If you’re a college student and you’re renting a place close to campus, there may come a time when something within your home, or with the home itself, breaks down. When this happens, you’ll obviously want to fix the problem as soon as you can. Below, we’ll explain what you need to do when something breaks within your home, along with common home repair needs that you should be aware of.

What To Do If You Need a Home Repair

How you need to address potential home repairs depends on your specific lease. In some situations, you’ll simply need to contact the landlord, who will then get started on addressing the problems for you. In others, you may need to find an appliances and HVAC service and repair company that can assist you. The landlord may then reimburse you for the repair costs or you may have to cover them yourself, again depending on the conditions laid out in your lease.

Therefore, the first thing you should do is read through your lease agreement and understand your responsibilities. If it’s the responsibility of the landlord to handle all repairs, call them as soon as you can. Hopefully, the landlord will address the problem soon after that, but if not, be sure to regularly call them and ask for an update until the problem is fixed.

HVAC System

One of the most important parts of any home is its HVAC system. The HVAC system includes the home’s furnace along with the central AC unit, if there is one, and all of the vents that run throughout the home. If something breaks down within your HVAC system, it could mean going without heat during the winter or no cool air during the summer. This makes it important that you’re able to recognize problems with your HVAC system early so that you can address them right away.

One common sign to look for is strange noises or smells coming from the vents. Beyond that, you should try to notice if it’s taking longer than usual to regulate the temperature in your home. Finally, if the HVAC system simply doesn’t turn on when you adjust the temperature, there’s clearly an issue. To ensure that your HVAC system continues to run well, ask your landlord about the last time there was HVAC maintenance and ensure they continue to provide maintenance while you’re a tenant.

Leaky Pipes

Another issue that it’s important to address quickly is leaky pipes. Leaky pipes can happen for a number of reasons, such as extreme temperature changes, pests, or even simply age. When a pipe leaks in your home, it can lead to water damage in the surrounding area, which only compounds the problem. It also raises your water bill, giving you another reason to address it quickly. If you notice any signs of water on your floors or walls, there’s a chance that you have a leaky pipe. You may also hear dripping or notice that your water bill rose without an identifiable reason.

Appliances

You likely rely on several different appliances throughout your place on a daily basis. You use your oven for cooking, the dishwasher for cleaning up, and the in-unit washer and dryer to get your laundry done. Having an issue with any of these appliances would significantly impact your day-to-day tasks. In many cases, appliance repair comes down to removing the broken part and installing a replacement. Once you notice that an appliance isn’t working as it should, you should take steps to address it before the problem becomes worse.

Intruding Pests

Pests in your home are a nuisance in and of themselves but they can also cause larger problems if left ignored. You likely don’t want mice running around your home or to discover bugs throughout your kitchen. But even if you’re fine with leaving these pests running around, they could be causing long-term damage. For instance, mice can chew through wires and bugs can cause damage to the woodwork within the walls. Some pests can even carry diseases and get into your food, giving you yet another reason to address the problem fast. Keep a lookout for signs of pests, such as animal droppings, noises within the walls, or simply the presence of insects.

Home Security

Lastly, it’s important that you feel safe while you’re renting a place close to school. You likely have a few measures that help protect your home, such as locks on the doors and windows. If any of these security features break down, you should address them sooner rather than later. This will not only give you some peace of mind while staying there but will help protect you and your belongings from outside intruders. A simple call to your landlord is typically all it takes to replace a front door lock or install some new light bulbs outside.