Experiencing a maintenance issue at your home? Start here. This page gives Pivot tenants common troubleshooting steps, safety guidance, and instructions for submitting maintenance requests through the tenant portal.
Please review the troubleshooting items below before submitting a request. Some issues can be solved quickly, while others should be reported immediately.
Submit maintenance requests through the tenant portal whenever possible.
Photos and short videos help us understand the issue faster.
Take reasonable steps to stop leaks, water damage, or safety issues.
For fire, gas smell, flooding, or danger, call emergency services first.
If there is an immediate threat to life, safety, fire, active flooding, a strong gas smell, electrical danger, or a situation that could cause serious property damage, contact the proper emergency service first before submitting a portal request.
A good maintenance request helps us understand the issue, determine urgency, and send the right vendor or next step. Please include clear details and photos whenever possible.
Do not wait to report leaks, electrical hazards, no heat, no hot water, active water intrusion, broken locks, or anything that could create damage or safety concerns.
For non-emergency issues, please review the troubleshooting steps on this page first. If the issue continues, submit a maintenance request through the tenant portal.
These are general troubleshooting tips for common rental maintenance issues. Do not attempt anything unsafe, and do not perform repairs that require a licensed professional.
Garbage disposal reset and troubleshooting
If the disposal hums but does not spin, it may be jammed. Turn the disposal off. If you were provided a Jambuster tool, use it from the bottom of the disposal to carefully rotate the blades and free the jam.
Press the reset button on the bottom of the disposal. Also check that the outlet or switch has power.
Stop using the kitchen sink and disposal. Clean up any water under the cabinet if safe to do so, then submit a maintenance request through the portal.
Check and reset GFCI outlets
Check the breaker panel
Check nearby GFCI outlets, usually in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, laundry areas, or exterior areas. Press the reset button.
Locate the breaker panel and check whether a breaker moved from ON to OFF or to the middle position. If safe, switch it fully OFF and then back ON.
Submit a maintenance request. If there is burning smell, sparking, heat at an outlet, or visible electrical damage, do not use the outlet and report it immediately.
Check the dishwasher air gap
If the dishwasher is not draining and the kitchen sink is also not draining, run the garbage disposal for a few seconds to help clear the line.
If water comes out of the air gap on the sink when the dishwasher drains, there may be a blockage that needs attention.
If the sink drains normally and the dishwasher still will not drain, submit a maintenance request through the tenant portal.
Check AC operation and airflow
Locate the filter intake
Replace dirty air filters
Check the air filter. A dirty filter can restrict airflow and may cause the system to freeze or stop cooling properly.
Turn the AC off and allow the system to thaw. Check the filter and submit a maintenance request if the issue continues.
Air filters should generally be changed on a routine basis, often every 1 to 3 months depending on the property, system, pets, dust, and lease requirements.
Smoke detector
Carbon monoxide detector
Detector chirping / battery alert
A chirping detector may need a battery replacement or may have reached the end of its life. Follow the detector instructions if visible.
If multiple detectors are sounding or you suspect smoke, fire, or carbon monoxide, leave the home and call emergency services.
Submit a maintenance request if a detector needs replacement or continues to malfunction after basic battery troubleshooting.
Gas supply shutoff
Water heater area check
Water heater drain / leak area
Check whether the water heater appears to be on and whether the pilot light or ignitor has gone out. If you are not comfortable checking it, do not attempt to relight it yourself.
If safe, turn off the water supply valve at the water heater. If it is a gas water heater and safe to do so, turn off the gas supply valve. Submit a maintenance request immediately.
Take reasonable steps to prevent damage, such as moving personal property away from water and placing towels if safe.
Emergency release cord
Garage door safety sensor
Broken spring warning
Check or replace the remote battery. If needed, review the opener instructions for reprogramming.
Check the safety sensors near the bottom of the garage door tracks. They may be blocked, dirty, or misaligned.
Do not attempt to repair garage door springs, cables, or tracks. Take a photo if safe and submit a maintenance request.
Drain care and clog prevention
Some clogs may be tenant responsibility depending on cause and lease terms. Basic plunging may help, but do not use excessive force or damage fixtures.
If multiple drains are backing up at the same time, it may indicate a main line issue. Submit a maintenance request immediately.
Stop using water fixtures, avoid contact with wastewater, and report the issue immediately.
Many maintenance issues can be avoided with normal care, prompt reporting, and proper use of the home. Tenants are expected to follow the lease, use fixtures properly, and report issues before they become larger problems.
Some maintenance charges may be tenant responsibility depending on the cause, lease terms, misuse, neglect, clogged drains, improper disposal of items, missed access appointments, or damage caused by tenants, occupants, pets, or guests.
Some issues should be reported right away, even if you are not sure how serious they are. Early reporting helps protect the property and can prevent more expensive repairs.
For the best response, submit maintenance requests through the Pivot tenant portal. Portal requests create a record of the issue, allow photos and notes to be attached, and help keep communication organized.
Please do not submit vague requests like “something is broken.” Give the exact location, describe what is happening, and include photos or video whenever possible.
“Kitchen sink is leaking under the cabinet. Started this morning. Water appears to be coming from the drain pipe. I placed a towel under it and stopped using the sink. Photos attached.”
Submit your maintenance request through the tenant portal with clear details, photos, and access instructions. For urgent issues that may cause damage or safety concerns, contact Pivot after taking reasonable steps to prevent further damage.
