Rental Home Storm Damage
Renting a property can be a great source of income but it is important to keep in mind most places are subject to at least one kind of natural disaster (earthquake, hurricane, tornado, flood, wildfire, tsunami, drought, landslide, sinkhole, blizzard, etc.). As a property landlord you should know which disasters your property is at risk for:
- Southeast – Hurricanes
- Northeast – Powerful rain or snow storms k.a nor’easters
- Midwest – Tornado
- Mountain west – Wildfire
- West Coast – Earthquakes and Wildfire
Before renting out your property it is essential to make sure the condition of the house is documented for a multitude of reasons. Landlords should also consider structurally preparing their property for disasters common to their area to prevent damages and restoration in the future. Insurance documents should be kept in a safe place and/or have a digital record for easy access after the storm has ended.
If you are the Landlord:
Any damages to the property itself, broken window, roof damage, etc, are the landlord’s responsibility.
- Be aware of upcoming weather in your properties area – communicate with your tenants to prepare.
- Once the storm surge is over, check in with them to see if they are okay and if they have any storm damage.
- Visit the property to assess damages and future risks that may need to be taken care of.
- Make quick preparations for restoration to prevent further damage such as foundation issues.
- Understand that tenant’s security deposit cannot be used for repairs because it is only for damage they caused.
- Discuss with tenants whether they can live in the property after damage and during restoration, if not where should they go, and what should happen if they cannot pay rent due to the disaster’s affect on their job.
- A new leasing agreement or contract may need to be signed for the time after the storm during restoration to make clear who is responsible for paying what.
If you are the Tenant:
Any damages to items within the property are the tenant’s responsibility.
- Make sure everyone is safe before moving forward.
- Leave the heavy lifting and dangerous work to the professionals.
- Decide if it is safe to remain in the property or if other living arrangements will need to be made.
- Assess the extent of the damage to your property, the report it to the land lord in a timely manner.
- Take note/inventory of all items that need storm damage restoration.
- Know that once the storm has ended – you are responsible for doing everything possible to prevent further damage e. move things out of water.
- Keep copies of any receipts and invoices you may receive post storm.
- Check with FEMA or emergency services on how to stay safe and recover after a disaster.
- Look over lease agreement – some damage may be renter’s responsibility if they failed to report the hazard to the landlord.
- Look over renters insurance for personal claims – all renters should have this but are not required.
Reliable Has Both of Your Backs
The most common type of storm damage is water damage. If left untreated it could cause far worse problems than the initial damaged caused by the storm. Most properties have landlord insurance to protect them damages caused by fire, break-ins, severe weather etc. so it is easier to quickly set up storm damage restoration services. If your rental property has been affected by storm damage, call Reliable Restoration to have it addressed quickly. Reliable Restoration is here for you 24/7/365 with a licensed, expert team that will restore your property back to pre-disaster condition as quickly as possible so your renters can remain comfortable in your property. Visit us at: www.choosereliable.com or call us at (678) 325-1633.