Across the nation, natural disasters can occur suddenly and without warning. Natural events such as hurricanes,
tornados, wildfires, and flash floods can result in severe damage to homes and lives nationwide.
Rental property owners need to be aware of the proper steps and contacts if a storm, fire, or flood impacts their property. It’s crucial for property owners to have this knowledge for renter safety and effective recovery from disasters.
Create a Response Plan
This is the best moment to start planning for disaster recovery. Drafting a recovery plan can greatly influence how well you recover after a disaster affects your rental home. By planning in advance, you can take present actions to reduce the severity of natural disasters.
Begin by acquiring adequate insurance coverage. Then, perform a comprehensive assessment of your properties to ascertain the natural disaster threat level of each. You should also meticulously inspect each rental home, paying attention to the strength of retaining walls, tall trees, and other possible issues.
After a Natural Disaster
When your rental property is hit by a natural disaster, your first priority must be to check on your tenants and ensure their safety. Next, meticulously document the extent of the property damage, take photographs, and notify the relevant authorities and your insurance company.
When there is substantial damage, your tenants may need to find alternative housing through their insurance, and you should quickly contact inspectors and contractors for repair estimates.
In a disaster, experienced professionals will ensure your residents’ safety, evaluate property damage, document it with photos, and provide you with the information needed to start recovery. They will work with your insurance company, ensure inspectors and contractors are fully licensed and insured, and help tenants find temporary housing if necessary.
When dealing with numerous tasks, hiring a reliable property management company is the best and most efficient way to ensure a fast recovery. Real Property Management Heritage can evaluate the risk level of your rental property and help devise a damage minimization plan. Call us at 832-701-0766 or contact us online.
Originally Published on December 28, 2018
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