Renter-friendly home repairs you can do yourself
Plenty of small problems in a rental don't need to wait for the landlord: a running toilet, a slow drain, a chirping smoke alarm, a squeaky door. These fixes don't change the place, need no permanent parts, and are the kind most leases expect you to handle. Anything bigger, or anything that involves gas, wiring or water damage, belongs with your landlord.
Before you start, check two things: what your lease says about repairs, and whether the problem is really yours to fix. Most leases expect tenants to handle small upkeep, like a flapper, a clogged drain or a smoke alarm battery, and leave anything involving the building's systems to the landlord. If you're not sure, a quick text with a photo usually settles it.
Keep the old parts and your receipts, and put things back the way you found them. That's also your best protection at move-out, when a patched nail hole and a fixed running toilet look a lot better than a list of problems nobody reported.
Guides in this list
Carbon monoxide alarm beeping? What it means
Change your HVAC air filter
Circuit breaker keeps tripping
Clean clogged dishwasher spray arms
Clean dirty grout without harsh chemicals
Clean your refrigerator coils
Condensation on the inside of windows
Dishwasher not cleaning dishes
Dishwasher not draining
Door swings open or closed on its own
Find your main water shutoff
Fix a crooked or sagging cabinet door
Fix a loose towel bar
Fix a loose, wobbly toilet seat
Fix a running toilet
Fix a squeaky door hinge
Fix a sticking deadbolt or door lock
Fix a sticking wooden drawer
Fix a toilet that won't flush all the way
Fix a window that sticks or won't open
Fix low shower water pressure
Fix low water pressure at one faucet
Fix stripped door hinge screws
Get rid of a smelly washing machine
Hang heavy pictures and mirrors safely
Hang something on a plaster wall without cracking it
How to find a wall stud (with or without a stud finder)
Ice maker not making ice
Mold or mildew on the bathroom ceiling
Refrigerator not cooling
Repair a torn window screen
Replace a shower head or fix a leaking one
Reset a tripped outlet or breaker
Sewer smell in the house
Stop a smoke alarm from chirping
Stop a washing machine from shaking or walking
Thermostat not working or blank
Touch up wall paint so it doesn't show
Unclog a shower drain
Unclog a slow bathtub drain
Unclog a toilet (without the overflow)
Unjam a garbage disposal
Why are my lights flickering?
Ceiling fan not working
Patch a hole in drywall
Recaulk a tub or shower
Sliding door hard to open
Unclog a sink without chemicals
Renter-friendly questions
Should I tell my landlord before fixing something?
For anything beyond basic upkeep, yes. Your lease usually spells out what you're responsible for, and a quick text keeps you from paying for something that was theirs to fix.
What repairs are usually the landlord's job?
Heating, hot water, plumbing leaks, electrical problems and anything that affects safety or keeps the place livable. If you smell gas, see water damage or have no heat, contact them right away.
Will filling nail holes affect my deposit?
Small, well-filled nail holes usually aren't a problem, and patching them before you move out can help. Use paint that matches, or ask whether the landlord would rather do the touch-up.