Submitted a Maintenance Request? Make Sure It Gets Fixed

A Few Weeks In, Take Another Look Around

You've been in your apartment for a few weeks now. The boxes are probably gone, you've figured out where everything goes, and your new place is starting to feel more like home. But what about that maintenance issue you noticed during move-in? Maybe it's the bedroom window that still doesn't close properly, the kitchen faucet that keeps dripping, the outlet that doesn't work, or the maintenance request you submitted two weeks ago that still hasn't been resolved. Now is a good time to make sure those issues don't get forgotten.

If You Haven't Reported It, Start There

It's easy to put off a small maintenance issue, especially when you're busy getting settled. But waiting can make it harder to establish when the problem started, and some issues can become worse over time. Check your lease or resident portal to see how your landlord or property manager wants maintenance requests submitted. Depending on your property, that could mean using an online portal, submitting a written request, calling a maintenance line, or contacting management another way.

When you submit the request, be specific. Explain what the problem is, where it's located, when you noticed it, and any other details that may help maintenance understand the issue. Photos or videos can also be useful when the system allows you to attach them.

Already Submitted a Request? Check the Status

Submitting the request doesn't necessarily mean your job is done. Go back through the requests you submitted during or shortly after move-in. What has been fixed? What's still outstanding? If something hasn't been addressed, check your resident portal or other communication for a status update. If there isn't one, follow up through the appropriate channel and reference the original request.

Your follow-up doesn't need to be complicated. Simply remind your landlord or property manager when the request was submitted, briefly describe the issue again, let them know it remains unresolved, and ask for an update. The goal isn't to be confrontational. It's to make sure the issue hasn't fallen through the cracks while creating a clear record that you've followed up.

Keep Your Documentation

Don't rely on your memory or assume you'll always be able to find an old message. Keep copies of maintenance requests, confirmation numbers, emails, messages, photos, videos, and follow-up communication. If someone comes to make a repair, note when they visited and whether the issue was fully resolved. If the repair doesn't fix the problem, document that too and follow up again.

Over time, this creates a simple timeline showing when you discovered the issue, when you reported it, what happened afterward, and whether it was resolved. That record can be especially helpful if questions about the condition of the property come up later.

Don't Ignore Something Because It Seems Small

A dripping faucet, loose cabinet, damaged screen, or other minor problem may not feel urgent today, but small issues can sometimes become larger ones. You also don't want an existing problem to eventually be confused with damage that occurred later.

When you notice something that needs attention, build a simple habit: document it, report it, and follow up. You don't need to obsess over every maintenance request, but you should know whether the issues you've reported have actually been addressed.

The Bottom Line

A maintenance request shouldn't disappear into a portal or inbox. Take a few minutes this week to review any issues you've noticed since moving in. If you haven't reported them, submit a request. If you've already submitted one and the problem is still there, follow up.

Don't just report it. Make sure it gets resolved.