As a rental property owner in Fresno, it’s salient to understand your responsibilities if there should be major storms and natural disasters that can develop into extensive damage. This encompasses knowing how to handle the potential damage or wreckage of your residents’ personal property.
Who is responsible for damage resulting from a disaster?
It’s a common misconception that any damage caused by a storm or natural disaster is exclusively the property owner’s responsibility. But as a matter of fact, both renters and rental property owners have liabilities so far as it concerns property damage. Distinguishing these liabilities is a major part of being prepared for and recovering from misfortune.
To cite an instance, majority of rental properties feature one or more large trees around the home’s exterior. If a tree on your rental property falls down during a storm and shatters a vehicle belonging to a resident, whose responsibility is it to cover the cost of repairs? In this context, paying for the damage is not your responsibility. In actuality, the resident’s auto or renter’s insurance should cover the cost of rehabilitating the resident’s car.
What about other types of damage caused by a natural disaster?
Floods, wildfires, tornados, and more are all potential events that rental property owners and residents may face at times. In the unfortunate event of a natural disaster damaging a rental property, it is the legal obligation of the property owner to ensure that the living conditions of the property are safe and habitable for the tenants. Moreover, the property owner is additionally financially responsible for appropriately sorting out and covering the expenses related to the repair work required to restore the property to a habitable condition.
Though, on the flip side, the resident’s personal property, for example vehicles, the cost of transportation arising from an evacuation, lodging, food, and other expenses are all the resident’s responsibility. As long as the property is properly restored to a habitable state within a short period, the resident may still be responsible for the lease terms. They must have sufficient renter’s insurance to cover temporarily requiring alternative accommodations and to suitably protect their personal belongings in case of damage or loss. Encouraging your tenants to do so may save you both an additional headache in the event of a disaster.
How to stay prepared as a landlord
As a landlord, it is pertinent to prioritize disaster preparedness. Impending disasters can fundamentally impact your rental properties and tenants. To always ensure the safety and security of your properties, consider implementing a complete property risk assessment, taking ample insurance coverage, and working on preventative measures such as reinforcing vulnerable areas, securing loose objects, and affixing surge protectors.
Making a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan and clearly communicating evacuation routes and emergency contacts to your tenants are very important steps. Instituting protocols for securing the property similarly contributes to effective disaster preparedness, and in the end, safeguarding your rental properties and the total welfare of your tenants.
At Real Property Management Platinum, we are keen to help Fresno rental property owners like you navigate the problems of natural disasters and other weather-related incidents. Contact us online or give us a call at 559-324-9400 today to understand more regarding how we can suitably provide you with the best guidance and support you are seeking for.
Originally Published on October 5, 2018
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