If something in your apartment stops working — a leaky faucet, a dead radiator, a stuck window — the fastest way to get it fixed is to tell us the right way. At Yak Management, every maintenance request runs through our AppFolio tenant portal, which routes your issue directly to the operations team that coordinates repairs across our Brooklyn and greater NYC buildings. No phone tag, no lost voicemails, and a written record you can check anytime.

Here's exactly how it works.

How do I submit a maintenance request?

All Yak Management maintenance requests go through the online tenant portal. It takes about two minutes:

  1. Log in to your tenant portal at passport.appf.io. If it's your first time, use the activation link we emailed you when you moved in. (New here? Our move-in guide walks through portal setup.)
  2. Select "Maintenance" and start a new request.
  3. Describe the problem in plain language — what's happening, where in the unit, and when it started.
  4. Add photos or a short video. This is the single biggest thing you can do to speed up a repair. A picture of the leak under the sink or the tripped breaker tells our vendor what to bring.
  5. Set your entry permission. Tell us whether we may enter with your permission when you're not home, or whether you need to be present. Include the best times and any access notes (buzzer, pets, etc.).
  6. Submit. You'll get a confirmation, and the request lands with our team right away.

You can log back in anytime to see the status, read updates, and message us about that specific issue. Everything stays in one thread, which is why we ask tenants to use the portal rather than text or email for repairs.

What counts as an emergency?

Not every problem is urgent, and knowing the difference helps us route your request correctly. We prioritize maintenance by urgency and respond to genuine emergencies immediately, day or night.

Call it in as an emergency if you have:

  • No heat during the winter, or no hot water
  • A burst pipe, major leak, or active flooding
  • No electricity to the unit (not just a single tripped breaker)
  • A gas smell, sewage backup, or a fire hazard
  • A broken lock or door that leaves the unit unsecured

For a suspected gas leak or fire, call 911 or your utility company first, get to safety, then notify us. After you've done that, submit an emergency request in the portal and follow up by phone so we can dispatch help.

Routine (non-emergency) requests include things like a dripping faucet, a running toilet, a squeaky door, a slow drain, or a light fixture that needs a part. These matter too — we just schedule them with a trusted vendor rather than sending someone at 2 a.m.

What happens after I submit?

Once your request is in, our operations team reviews it, assigns the right vendor, and coordinates access. We'll keep you posted through the portal, and you'll typically hear from a technician to confirm timing. If a repair needs a part ordered or specialized work, we'll let you know rather than leaving you guessing — responsive, transparent communication is the whole reason owners and tenants choose us.

A few things that help us fix problems faster:

  • Report issues early. A small drip today is a cheaper, easier fix than water damage next month.
  • Give accurate access details. Most delays come from not being able to get into the unit.
  • Keep the thread updated. If the problem changes or gets worse, add a note to the existing request.

Your right to a livable home

New York law is on your side when it comes to essential repairs. Under the warranty of habitability, landlords must keep apartments safe and livable, including working heat, hot water, and plumbing. During NYC heat season (October 1 – May 31), buildings must maintain minimum indoor temperatures, with hot water required all year.

If a repair affecting your health or safety isn't addressed, tenants can file a complaint with NYC's Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) by calling 311. In a Yak-managed building, though, that shouldn't be necessary — reporting it to us through the portal is the fastest path to a fix, and it's exactly what we're here for. You can read more in our overview of NYC tenant rights.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney about your specific situation.

Need help getting into your portal?

If you can't find your activation email or you're locked out, don't wait on a repair. Head to our tenant resources page, check the tenant FAQs, or contact our team and we'll get you back in and your request moving.