For Tenants

Submit a Maintenance Request

We're here to help keep your home comfortable and well-maintained. Report maintenance issues promptly through your tenant portal. The checks below are limited to simple resident steps; stop and submit a request whenever a condition appears unsafe, involves a supplied system, or requires tools or technical work.

Suspected gas leak: Leave the building immediately and keep others away. While inside or near the suspected leak, do not use a phone, operate lights, switches, thermostats, plugs, appliances, or garage doors, start a vehicle, smoke, use a flame, or try to find or stop the leak.

From a safe location well away from the building, call 911 and your gas utility. Dominion Energy South Carolina: 800.815.0083. Piedmont Natural Gas: 800.752.7504. Do not re-enter until emergency responders or the utility say it is safe. Notify management only after making those emergency calls.

Other immediate dangers: For fire, smoke, sparking, downed electrical lines, or another immediate threat to life or safety, leave the area and call 911. Do not touch electrical equipment near water. For active flooding, shut off an accessible fixture valve only if you know how and can reach it safely, then call management and submit a portal request.

For loss of heat in dangerous weather, major leaks, sewage backup, or other urgent habitability concerns, submit a portal request and call management promptly. For non-urgent repairs, we aim to provide an initial response within 24 business hours; repair completion depends on the issue, access, parts, and vendor availability.

A service-call charge may apply only when permitted by the lease and the issue is the resident's responsibility. Never delay reporting a possible safety, habitability, water, gas, or electrical problem because you are concerned about a fee.

The lease and South Carolina law determine maintenance responsibilities. This guide does not transfer Uptown's or an owner's duty to keep covered premises and supplied systems fit, habitable, and in reasonably safe working order.

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Quick Fixes

No Hot Water

  • Confirm the utility account is active and check whether hot water is unavailable at every faucet.
  • If there is no gas odor, visually check whether a clearly labeled breaker is tripped and reset it only once.
  • Do not remove water-heater panels, adjust internal controls, or relight a pilot. Submit a maintenance request.

Hot Water Too Hot

  • Stop using water that may scald, keep children away, and submit a maintenance request.
  • Do not remove panels or adjust internal water-heater controls.

Toilet Clogged

  • Try a plunger first.
  • If the clog persists, submit a maintenance request.
  • Note: If the clog was caused by misuse, the tenant may be responsible for the service cost.

Heater Not Working

  • Confirm utility service is active and the thermostat is set to Heat; replace thermostat batteries if accessible.
  • Check that an accessible filter is not visibly clogged and that ordinary covers are closed.
  • If there is no gas odor, moisture, buzzing, burning smell, or visible damage, reset a clearly labeled breaker only once.
  • Do not open equipment panels or relight a pilot. Submit a request, and call management promptly if outdoor temperatures make the condition urgent.

Sink, Tub, or Shower Clogged

  • Remove visible hair or debris using a stopper or drain screen, and try a sink or tub plunger.
  • Do not use chemical drain cleaner unless management specifically authorizes the product. Never mix drain or cleaning products.
  • Stop running water and submit a request if multiple fixtures back up, sewage appears, or the clog persists.

Dishwasher Not Draining

  • Remove food debris from the bottom.
  • Clean the float and filter.
  • Follow the appliance manual for loading and any rinse aid; do not add products not approved for the machine.

Refrigerator Too Warm or Too Cold

  • Adjust the thermostat setting.
  • Clean front and back vents/grills.
  • Clear the drain hole if blocked.

Moisture, Mildew, or Suspected Mold

  • Keep areas dry and well-ventilated, especially bathrooms and windows.
  • Promptly report leaks, recurring moisture, musty odors, or visible growth, especially when the affected area is spreading or a resident has health concerns.
  • For a small spot of ordinary surface mildew, clean only if your lease guidance permits and the product label says it is suitable. Ventilate, use the stated protective equipment, and never mix cleaners.
  • Do not disturb a large or recurring area; leave it for management or a qualified professional to assess.

Plumbing Tips

Things You Should Never Flush

  • Floss, grease/oil, band-aids, medications, disposable wipes (even "flushable"), paper towels, feminine products, cat litter, condoms, and hair — they can cause severe clogs and plumbing damage.

How to Shut Off Water to the Toilet

  • If the valve is visible, reachable, and not corroded, turn it clockwise gently to stop water flow.
  • Do not force a stuck valve. Call management promptly if water continues flowing.

How to Shut Off Water to a Sink

  • Turn off the faucet if possible.
  • If the valves are visible, reachable, and not corroded, turn them clockwise gently.
  • Do not force a stuck valve. Call management promptly if water continues flowing.

HVAC & Appliances

Air Conditioner Not Working

  • Check an accessible air filter monthly and replace it when dirty, following the filter direction and any lease or equipment instructions.
  • Ensure the thermostat is set to Cool and Fan Auto.
  • If there is no moisture, burning smell, buzzing, or visible damage, reset a clearly labeled breaker only once.
  • From a safe distance, look for obvious debris around the outdoor unit; do not reach into or open equipment.
  • Submit a request for ice, leaking water, a clogged drain line, repeated breaker trips, or continued loss of cooling.

Garbage Disposal Not Working

  • Turn off the wall switch, unplug the disposal if the plug is accessible, and switch off the labeled breaker before inspecting it.
  • Never put a hand or fingers inside the disposal. Do not use chemical drain cleaner.
  • After power is disconnected, use the reset button or manufacturer-supplied wrench only as the appliance instructions direct.
  • If you cannot verify the power is disconnected, the unit leaks, or the jam remains, stop and submit a maintenance request.

How to Change an A/C Filter

  • Locate the air-intake grill.
  • Remove the old filter and insert a new one with the airflow arrow pointing toward the unit.
  • Check monthly and replace when dirty or according to the lease and equipment instructions.

Gas Range Clicking / Won't Start

  • If you smell gas, do not touch controls; follow the gas-leak instructions at the top of this page.
  • If there is no gas odor, turn every burner control fully off and let the cool surface air-dry.
  • Do not use the oven to dry burners or disassemble ignition components. Submit a request if clicking continues.

General Home Care

Never Pour Grease Down the Drain

  • Collect grease in a container and dispose of it properly.
  • Wipe pans with paper towels before washing.
  • Discard food scraps in the trash and wash pans normally after removing grease.

How to Stop an Overflowing Toilet

  • Remove the tank lid.
  • Lift the fill valve (float) to stop water flow.
  • Turn the water valve clockwise to shut off the supply.

Resetting Circuit Breakers & GFCI Outlets

  • Press the reset button on a dry GFCI outlet in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, or outdoors.
  • If there is no moisture, burning smell, buzzing, sparking, heat, or visible damage, reset a clearly labeled tripped breaker only once.
  • Do not remove the electrical panel cover. Stop and submit an urgent request if power does not return or a breaker trips again.

Refrigerator Water Filter Replacement

  • Replace according to the appliance indicator, manufacturer instructions, and lease responsibility.
  • Use the exact compatible filter and follow the appliance instructions; submit a request if there is a leak.
  • Reset the filter indicator if applicable.

Silent Toilet Leak Test

  • Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank and wait 15 minutes.
  • If color appears in the bowl, submit a maintenance request.

Key Stuck in Lock

  • Ensure the key is vertical (12 o'clock).
  • Apply gentle pressure on the plug while pulling the key out slowly.

Smoke Detector Chirping

  • Never disconnect or disable a smoke or carbon-monoxide alarm.
  • If the alarm is safely reachable without a risky ladder and your lease makes batteries a resident responsibility, install the specified fresh battery and press the test button.
  • If the alarm is sounding, you see or smell smoke, or a carbon-monoxide alarm activates, leave immediately and call 911. For continued chirping after a battery change, submit a request.

Condensation on Windows

  • Run bathroom fans during showers.
  • Use kitchen vents while cooking.
  • If humidity stays high, consider a dehumidifier.
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