Keep the home sanitary
Keep the property clean, promptly dispose of garbage, prevent standing water, and take reasonable action to eliminate dangerous conditions.
AustinVestors
Resident Maintenance Help & Troubleshooting
Review AustinVestors resident maintenance responsibilities, safely troubleshoot common household issues, and submit written maintenance requests through the Resident Portal.
01Review your responsibilities
02Try the safe checks
03Submit through the portal
Immediate danger comes first
Protect people, then protect the property.
For fire, suspected gas or carbon monoxide, or a medical emergency, leave the danger area and call 911. For active water, shut off the nearest fixture valve or main water supply when it is safe to do so.
After taking immediate safety steps, submit the maintenance issue through the Resident Portal so AustinVestors has a written record and can coordinate the response.
Your responsibilities under the lease
Routine care helps prevent damage and avoid resident charges.
These are common responsibilities in the AustinVestors standard lease. Your signed lease and addenda control if your property has different requirements.
Replace routine supplies
Replace HVAC filters, light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, and resident-replaceable batteries in alarms, remotes, and other devices with the correct type and quality.
Prevent avoidable damage
Protect plumbing from freezing, know the main water shutoff and electrical panel locations, and act quickly to limit damage when a problem occurs.
Use systems properly
Do not place grease, wipes, foreign objects, or improper materials in drains, toilets, disposals, or appliances. Follow manufacturer and property instructions.
Report problems promptly
Submit repair needs in writing through the Resident Portal. Delayed reporting can worsen damage and may make the resident responsible for additional costs.
Provide safe access
Keep appointments, secure animals, clear the work area, and allow authorized access so vendors can inspect and complete approved repairs.
Safe troubleshooting
Try these basic checks before submitting a request.
Only perform a step when you can do so safely. Do not disassemble equipment, work on electrical wiring, handle refrigerant or gas components, climb onto the roof, or hire a contractor without written authorization.
The air conditioner is not cooling. What should I check?
Confirm the thermostat is set to COOL and several degrees below the current temperature. Replace a dirty HVAC filter if you can do so safely, check that supply vents are open, and verify the labeled HVAC breaker has not tripped. A breaker may be reset once; if it trips again, stop and submit a request. Do not open HVAC equipment or attempt refrigerant, wiring, or drain-line repairs.
Part or all of the home has lost electricity. What should I check?
Confirm whether neighboring homes are also without power. Check the electrical panel for a clearly tripped breaker and reset it once by moving it fully OFF and then ON. For a single outlet or room, test and reset nearby GFCI outlets. If there is sparking, smoke, burning odor, heat at an outlet, or a breaker trips again, stop using the affected area and follow the emergency guidance.
The garbage disposal is not working. What should I do?
Turn the wall switch off. Never place a hand or tool inside the disposal. Check whether the sink is overloaded or an improper object is visible without reaching into the unit, then press the small reset button on the bottom of the disposal if it is safely accessible. If it hums, leaks, remains jammed, or trips the breaker, stop and submit a request.
The toilet is clogged or overflowing. What should I do?
Immediately stop flushing. Turn the toilet shutoff valve clockwise to stop the water, protect the surrounding floor, and use a standard toilet plunger for an ordinary clog. Do not use chemical drain cleaners or objects that can damage the plumbing. If sewage is backing up, more than one fixture is affected, or plunging does not clear it, submit a request promptly.
There is a water leak. What should I do first?
Move belongings away from the water and, when safe, turn off the nearest fixture valve or the home’s main water shutoff. Use towels or a container to limit damage, but do not open walls or plumbing. Submit a portal request immediately with photos and the location of the leak. For rapidly flowing water or a ceiling that is bulging, keep clear of the area and mark the request as urgent.
The smoke or carbon-monoxide alarm is chirping. What should I do?
A periodic single chirp often indicates a low battery. Replace resident-replaceable batteries with the correct type and test the device. Never disconnect, cover, or disable an alarm. If an alarm is sounding continuously, anyone has symptoms, or you suspect smoke, fire, gas, or carbon monoxide, leave the property and call 911 before submitting a portal request from a safe location.
The refrigerator is not cooling properly. What should I check?
Confirm it has power, the temperature controls have not been changed, doors close completely, and food is not blocking interior vents. Clean spills and remove excess items that prevent airflow. Do not dismantle the appliance. If food safety is at risk, protect or relocate perishables and submit a request; AustinVestors cannot reimburse spoiled food unless required by the lease or law.
The garage door will not open or close. What should I check?
Confirm the opener has power, replace the remote battery when needed, and make sure nothing blocks the photo-eye sensors or door path. Clean the sensor lenses gently and check that both sensors are aligned. Do not adjust springs, cables, tracks, or opener wiring. Use the manual release only if you understand it and the door can be handled safely; otherwise submit a request.
How do I help prevent frozen pipes?
Follow weather alerts and any property-specific instructions. Keep the home heated, disconnect outdoor hoses, protect exposed faucets when appropriate, and allow warm air to reach plumbing in cabinets. Know where the main water shutoff is located. If a pipe freezes, do not use an open flame or unsafe heat source; submit a request and take reasonable steps to prevent water damage.
Still need maintenance?
Every request must be submitted through the Resident Portal.
Phone calls, emails, and verbal conversations do not create a maintenance request. The portal provides the written record AustinVestors needs to evaluate, prioritize, assign, and update your request.
Include with your request:
- The exact location and a clear description
- When the problem started and whether it is getting worse
- Photos or video when helpful
- The troubleshooting steps you already tried
- Any active leak, safety concern, or access instructions