Living in a professionally managed community like 17th Place or 20th Place Apartments means you don’t have to worry about fixing things yourself. If you’ve noticed your faucet dripping or think a larger repair is needed, knowing how to submit a maintenance request ensures your home stays in top condition.
At Bell Management, we pride ourselves on providing responsive apartment maintenance in Joplin and Webb City. Understanding the difference between a routine request and an emergency helps our teams prioritize your safety and comfort. This guide will walk you through the process, helping you decide when to call apartment maintenance and how to get the best results.
How Do I Submit an Apartment Maintenance Request?
To submit a non-emergency maintenance request, locate the specific maintenance contact listed on your lease or community welcome packet. Call or contact the designated person to describe the issue in detail. Be sure to follow any specific written-request requirements outlined in your lease to ensure your request is documented and processed.
Following these steps makes the process smooth for everyone:
- Check Your Documentation: Your lease or welcome packet contains the specific phone number or contact person for your community.
- Describe the Issue Clearly: When you call, explain exactly what is happening. Is the sink leaking under the cabinet or at the handle? What does the sound or smell remind you of? The more detail you provide, the better our team can prepare.
- Grant Permission to Enter: Let the team know if they have permission to enter your home while you are away. This allows us to fix the issue much faster.
- Stay in Touch: While routine requests may take a little longer than emergencies, we work to address every ticket as quickly as possible.
What Counts as Routine vs. Emergency Maintenance?
Routine maintenance refers to non-urgent repairs that do not immediately threaten your health, safety, or the integrity of the building. Emergency maintenance is reserved for situations that pose an immediate risk to people or could cause serious, active property damage.
|
Type of Issue |
Examples |
What You Should Do |
|
Routine |
Dripping faucet, loose cabinet hinge, running toilet, and minor carpet tear. |
Contact the maintenance person on your lease during office hours. |
|
Emergency |
Burst pipe, no heat in winter, gas smell, sparking outlet, and broken front door lock. |
Call the 24/7 emergency maintenance number immediately. |
If you are ever unsure whether an issue is an emergency or routine, please don’t hesitate to call and ask. We would rather you check with us than let a potential problem get worse.
When Should You Call Apartment Maintenance for an Emergency?
You should call emergency apartment maintenance anytime there is an immediate risk to your safety, health, or serious property damage. Our 24/7 maintenance support is designed to handle these critical situations at any hour of the day or night.
Common emergency categories include:
- Plumbing and Water Emergencies: This includes burst pipes, active flooding, an overflowing toilet that won’t stop, or a total lack of running water. Sewage backups or major leaks through ceilings and walls also require immediate intervention.
- Electrical and Safety Emergencies: Call immediately if you see sparks, smell burning from an outlet, or experience a total power loss in unsafe weather. Any damage that prevents you from securing your home—like a broken front door lock or a shattered exterior window—is a high priority.
- Heating and Cooling Emergencies: We prioritize repairs for a total loss of heat during freezing weather or a loss of air conditioning during extreme heat waves. A non-functional refrigerator or oven is also considered urgent if it prevents you from safely storing or preparing food.
- Severe Pest Infestations: While a few ants are routine, a sudden, aggressive infestation (like bed bugs or rodents) that creates a health risk is treated with urgency.
Important Note: Always call 911 first for fires, suspected gas leaks, or medical emergencies. Once you are safe and the authorities have been notified, contact our emergency maintenance line.
Examples of Routine Apartment Maintenance Requests
Routine apartment maintenance keeps your home looking and feeling its best. These issues aren’t dangerous, but they do require a professional touch. By reporting these early, you help us prevent them from turning into emergencies later.
Appliances and Fixtures
- Slow-draining sinks or tubs.
- Dishwashers that aren’t cleaning properly.
- Loose showerheads or handles.
- Burned-out light bulbs in high or difficult-to-reach fixtures (check your lease to see which bulbs are tenant-responsible).
Doors, Windows, and Hardware
- Sticky doors or windows that won’t open all the way.
- Torn window screens or closet doors that have fallen off their tracks.
- Loose cabinet hinges or doorknobs.
Surfaces and Finishes
- Peeling paint or cracked floor tiles.
- Loose carpet edges or small, dry water stains on the ceiling.
- Minor pest concerns, such as seeing the occasional insect.
Maintenance at 17th Place and 20th Place Apartments
We’re proud to manage two premier communities in the area, each with dedicated support to ensure a high-quality living experience.
Maintenance at 17th Place Apartments
At 17th Place Apartments, our residents enjoy a vibrant community with on-site management and a wealth of amenities, including a pool, movie theater, and fitness center. Maintenance at 17th Place focuses on keeping these shared spaces and your individual apartment in top shape. Our responsive team is always ready to assist with your routine and emergency needs to keep life running smoothly.
Maintenance at 20th Place Apartments
As a luxury-style community, maintenance at 20th Place Apartments in Joplin is dedicated to preserving the modern finishes and high-end amenities our residents love. From the pool and cabana to the dog parks and BBQ stations, our on-site team works hard to maintain every detail. Whether you have a routine request for a modern appliance or an urgent repair, we’re committed to providing exceptional service.
Apartment Maintenance FAQs
The most efficient method is to call the maintenance contact listed specifically on your lease. Providing a clear, detailed description of the issue helps our team arrive prepared with the right tools.
An issue is an emergency if it threatens your immediate safety, could cause health problems, or is causing active damage to the property. Examples include a burst water pipe, no heat in sub-freezing temperatures, or a broken exterior door lock.
Response times vary based on the severity of the issue. Emergencies are addressed immediately, while routine requests are scheduled in the order they are received and handled as quickly as possible by our local teams.
If you have not received a timely response or the issue persists, please follow the escalation steps in your lease. This typically involves contacting the property owner or the main management office contact listed in your welcome packet.
If you notice something in your home that needs attention, don’t wait! Review your lease or welcome packet today to find your dedicated contact details and save those numbers in your phone. For other questions, reach out to our team online.


