A 'building superintendent' or 'building supervisor' (often known simply as the 'super') is a manager responsible for repair and maintenance in a residential building. They are the first point of contact for residents of the building. They are expected to take care of minor issues and repairs, such as small leaks or blockages. For larger jobs and major repairs they will organize and supervise the work of the sub-contractors. Building superintendents often get discounts in their rent in exchange for their services.
Although very common in large cities in the
United States, the job title is not often used in the rest of the world.
The ''super'' of a building will often be a minor character in many
television shows; for example in
Friends. They are also commonly present in minor speaking roles on crime drama shows, such as
Law and Order, where the ''super'' will often let the police in to an apartment that is the scene of a crime or the home of a suspect.
See also
janitor,
custodian.