Appliance meltdowns, huh? Nothing like having your fridge go on vacation right when you need ice cream, or your dryer starting screeching like it’s auditioning for a metal band. And of course, the dishwasher always picks the night you’re hosting friends to turn your kitchen into a slip-n-slide.
Renting is wild sometimes.
So, what’s actually your job to fix, and when should you just throw your hands up and call in the cavalry? Here’s the lowdown.
The Main Offenders
Let’s call out the usual troublemakers:
Fridge: Maybe it’s leaking mysterious puddles (what is that, anyway?), running loud enough to drown out your TV, or just… not cold. Annoying.
Stove/Oven: Burners won’t light, oven temp’s all over the place, or it’s just straight-up refusing to work. Classic.
Dishwasher: Either your plates come out dirtier than they went in, or you’re suddenly ankle-deep in soapy water.
Washer/Dryer: Won’t spin, won’t dry, or sounds like it’s chewing rocks. The soundtrack of rental living.
Microwave: Buttons totally unbothered by your existence, sparks, or “hey, why is this thing ice cold?”
Honestly, it’s easy to freak out. But before you start rage-texting your landlord, try these quick (and sometimes embarrassingly simple) fixes:
Quick Checks Before You Blow Up Your Group Chat
Power: No joke, make sure it’s plugged in. You’d be shocked how many “broken” appliances are just unplugged.
Settings: Maybe you hit the wrong button or mode. Double-check. We’ve all been there.
Filters/Vents: Dryers hate lint. Dishwashers hate clogged filters. Five-minute clean = miracle sometimes.
Reset: Unplug it, wait, plug it back in. The classic IT move works more than you’d think.
Breaker: If the whole thing’s dead, check your breaker box. Sometimes that’s all it takes.
Give these a go. If you get lucky, you’ll save yourself a maintenance call, and your landlord won’t have to hear from you at 2AM.
When to Admit Defeat and Call the Pros
Look, if there’s sparks, weird burning smells, leaks that look like you’ll need a mop army, or anything to do with gas? Don’t even mess with it. That’s “call in the professionals” territory.
Water that’s spreading, exposed wires, or breakers that keep tripping nope, not your circus.
And if you’ve tried everything but it’s still busted (or somehow even worse)? Time to message your landlord or property manager. That’s literally their job: to get this stuff fixed and keep the place up to code.
Why It Actually Matters
Trying to play hero with a busted appliance can make a little problem turn into a total disaster.
Doing the small stuff yourself is awesome, but don’t risk your safety or your security deposit by going MacGyver on a live wire. Reporting issues fast keeps things safe and your landlord happy.
Plus, being responsible and not blowing up the place? Good way to make sure you get that deposit back.
Communication = your best friend.
The Real Talk
Take care of what you can, don’t be afraid to call for help, and for the love of all things, don’t ignore leaks or weird smells. Snap a pic, shoot your landlord a quick message, and keep it moving. You’ll save yourself headaches, keep your home in one piece, and maybe just maybe your appliances will stop plotting against you.