Free tool • Decision helper
Fix It or Call the Landlord?
Built by Michael RiveraThe renter's eternal question. Answer five quick yes/no questions about the problem in front of you and get the same verdict I'd give you over coffee — with the reasoning, not just the answer.
1. Does the problem involve gas, mains electrical wiring, or structural elements?
2. Is water actively leaking and you can't stop it with a local shut-off valve?
3. Would fixing it require drilling tile, changing plumbing, or any permanent alteration?
4. Is it caused by wear/age of the property itself (not something you broke)?
5. Can you undo the fix completely at move-out, and does it cost under ~$25?
The logic behind it
It's the same triage this whole site runs on: safety first (gas, mains electric, uncontrolled water = professionals, always), ownership second (permanent changes and wear-of-property are the landlord's domain — that's what rent pays for), and reversibility last (if it's cheap, reversible, and yours to touch, it's a Saturday job). The Handbook goes deeper on each branch.
Edge case the quiz can't decide? Email [email protected] — good ones become articles.
Renter for 15+ years. I write practical, landlord-safe fixes I've actually done in my own apartments — no permits, no drama, deposit intact. More about me →