We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Building Superintendent?

By D. Jeffress
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 12,669
Share

A building superintendent is a professional who makes repairs and performs preventative maintenance in residential apartment buildings. Most superintendents have expert knowledge of many types of repair work, including plumbing, painting, construction, and electrical work. They frequently perform managerial duties as well, such as collecting rent, enforcing housing guidelines, and making sure that residents are kept safe. Some building superintendents at large facilities or complexes supervise teams of maintenance workers, delegating responsibilities and setting work schedules.

When a resident needs repair work in a unit, he or she might call the superintendent directly or submit a written service request to the apartment manager. The superintendent will enter the unit with the resident's permission to analyze the problem and determine what repairs are needed. Most problems encountered by superintendents in a well-maintained building are minor, such as a stopped up sink or a faulty refrigerator. These professionals are skilled at quickly fixing such small problems, as well as tackling major jobs like replacing appliances and running electrical lines.

It is common for residents to be frequently moving in and out of a large apartment complex. The building superintendent and his or her staff are responsible for making sure that a vacated apartment is in sound structural shape and that all appliances are working properly. Superintendents might need to patch holes, paint over damaged walls, and replace window screens, faucets, and toilets.

Building superintendents also perform routine maintenance in the halls and public spaces of apartment buildings. A superintendent is usually responsible for painting walls, repairing damaged floors, and changing light bulbs in lobbies and hallways. Some professionals also perform cleaning duties, such as washing windows and picking up trash around their buildings.

Many building superintendents are placed in charge of entire crews of maintenance personnel. In order to successfully manage others, a building superintendent must have strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. He or she sets schedules, assigns job duties, and supervises jobs. When a problem arises that crew members are unable to resolve, the building superintendent usually steps in to find a solution.

There are no formal education requirements to become a building superintendent. Many people gain several years of construction or repair work experience before applying for building superintendent jobs. Some skilled people in the occupation, however, have completed formal vocational training at technical schools or community colleges. Individuals can learn specifics about plumbing, electrical work, and general building maintenance though three-month to two-year vocational programs. Additional post-secondary education in business management or communications can also be very helpful, and sometimes required, in preparing for supervisory and administrative duties.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-building-superintendent.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.