As a rental property owner in Mohave Valley, it’s significant to understand your responsibilities if there should happen to be major storms and natural disasters that can bring about extensive damage. This incorporates discovering how to handle the potential damage or harm to 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 straightforwardly the property owner’s responsibility. In truth, both renters and rental property owners have liabilities regarding property damage. Ascertaining these liabilities is a vital part of being prepared for and recovering from misfortune.
For instance, lots 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 harms a vehicle belonging to a resident, whose responsibility is it to cover the cost of repairs? In cases like this, paying for the damage is not your responsibility. On the contrary, the resident’s auto or renter’s insurance should cover the cost of mending 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 occasionally. In the unfortunate event of a natural disaster damaging a rental property, it is the legal obligation of the property owner to see to it that the living conditions of the property are safe and habitable for the tenants. In addition, the property owner is similarly financially responsible for systematizing or arranging and covering the expenses related to the repair work required to restore the property to a habitable state.
On the other hand, the resident’s personal property, namely vehicles, the cost of transportation because of an evacuation, lodging, food, and other expenses are all the resident’s responsibility. As long as the property is returned to a habitable state within a short period, the resident may still be responsible for the lease terms. They must have satisfactory renter’s insurance to cover provisionally needing alternative accommodations and to save their personal belongings in case of damage or loss. Urging your tenants to do so may save you both an extra headache in the event of a disaster.
How to stay prepared as a landlord
As a landlord, it is so important to prioritize disaster preparedness. Probable disasters can inevitably impact your rental properties and tenants. To make sure about the safety and security of your properties, think of executing an exhaustive property risk assessment, having adequate insurance coverage, and fulfilling preventative measures such as reinforcing vulnerable areas, securing loose objects, and furnishing surge protectors.
Creating a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan and properly communicating evacuation routes and emergency contacts to your tenants are necessary steps. Formulating protocols for securing the property likewise contributes to proper proactive disaster preparedness, ultimately safeguarding your rental properties and the welfare of your tenants.
At Real Property Management Northern Arizona, we are earnest in helping Mohave Valley rental property owners like you navigate the complications of natural disasters and other weather-related incidents. Contact us online or give us a call at 928-757-7368 today to glean more as regards how we can give you the correct recommendations and support you desire.
Originally Published on October 5, 2018
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
