Electrical Maintenance Guide for Tenants

This is a guide on how tenants can troubleshoot common electrical issues that may arise. These electrical issues are common requests that can be resolved without an electrician.

Please review the below steps before submitting electrical maintenance and repair requests on Hemlane or to your landlord/property manager. The majority of landlords and property managers will charge the tenant if a licenesed professional is sent out to perform these troubleshooting requests. Licensed electricians are over $100 an hour in most regions, and therefore it is important for tenants to properly look at the electrical issue before reaching out with a maintenance request.

Electrical outlet is not working

Troubleshoot: Find the GFI

The GFI outlet looks different than a standard outlet, because it has two buttons between the top and bottom outlet. It is most commonly found in the kitchen or bathroom near the sink. One of the two buttons is identified as a reset button. Try to push the reset button to get your outlets working again. If that does not work, check any additional GFI outlets in the residence. If it is not fixed, then submit a request.

Troubleshoot: Check the breaker box

Open the panel, a list of breaker functions should be listed on the back of the door inside the panel box or identified beside each breaker. Identify the proper breaker and try turning it off and then on again.

Light and/or strip of lights are not working

Troubleshoot: Replace the lightbulbs
Take out the old light bulbs (hold onto the light bulbs to find similar ones) and replace with new light bulbs. Unless the light bulb was burnt out upon move in, it is the tenant’s responsibility to replace it. Also check the lease for further instructions regarding replacement procedures and requirements.

Troubleshoot: Check the breaker box
Open the panel, a list of breaker functions should be listed on the back of the door inside the panel box or identified beside each breaker. Identify the proper breaker and turn it off and then on again.

Power Outage

Fix: Call and report the outage to the local power company
If the entire house or building is out, then it is most likely due to a power outage. If the Power Company advises there are no outages in the area, call your Emergency Maintenance Line for assistance.

Electricity is not making its way to an appliance

Troubleshoot: Find the GFI

The GFI outlet looks different than a standard outlet, because it has two buttons between the top and bottom outlet. It is most commonly found in the kitchen or bathroom near the sink. One of the two buttons is identified as a reset button. Try to push the reset button to get your outlets working again. If that does not work, check any additional GFI outlets in the residence. If it is not fixed, then submit a request.

Troubleshoot: Check the breaker box

Open the panel, a list of breaker functions should be listed on the back of the door inside the panel box or identified beside each breaker. Identify the proper breaker and try turning it off and then on again.