Emergency in a flat

Safety first, documentation second

In a fire or any immediate danger, call 150 or 112. Leave the building if the escape route is safe. Don’t walk through a smoke-filled corridor and don’t use the lift. Give the operator the exact address, what is happening and whether anyone is still inside.

If you smell gas, don’t use light switches, doorbells or electrical appliances, and avoid anything that could cause a spark. If you can do so without putting yourself at risk, open the windows and shut off the gas. Leave the building and, from a safe place, call the gas emergency line on 1239 – and 112 if anyone is in danger. Don’t waste time looking for the contract or taking photos.

If water is leaking, close the nearest accessible shut-off valve, provided it is safe to do so. Don’t step into water that may be live. Leave repairs to the pipework to professionals.

How to tell an emergency from a routine fault

A dripping tap can usually wait for a routine repair. Water spraying from a burst hose needs immediate action. A heating failure can be either: it depends on the temperature, how long the outage lasts and whether there is a risk of harm to people or of the pipes freezing.

By law, the tenant must notify the landlord immediately of any defect that requires urgent repair. A message sent through the standard form, however, may not bring help quickly. In an acute situation, call the relevant emergency service.

What to record after the intervention

To give you an idea: a plumber stops a leak from a burst hose. Afterwards, photograph the damaged area and keep the report on the cause and the invoice for the call-out. Stopping the water, drying out the flat and paying for damaged furnishings are three separate steps. Whether the insurer covers the damage isn’t decided by the word “emergency” (havárie).