Throughout the nation, natural disasters frequently strike with little warning. Hurricanes, tornados, wildfires, and flash floods can cause widespread damage to homes and lives across the country.
In the event of property damage from a storm, fire, or flood, rental property owners should know the necessary steps and reliable contacts. Knowing this is vital for ensuring renter safety and efficient disaster recovery.
Create a Response Plan
The right time to plan for disaster recovery is now. Having a recovery plan can greatly affect your recovery efforts after a disaster impacts your rental home. Planning ahead allows you to take steps now to lessen the impact of natural disasters.
The first step is to buy the right insurance coverage. Next, conduct a thorough assessment of your properties to gauge the natural disaster threat level for each. Additionally, carefully inspect each rental home, focusing on retaining wall strength, tall trees, and other potential issues.
After a Natural Disaster
If a natural disaster strikes your rental property, your primary concern should be checking on your tenants and ensuring their safety. Afterward, document the damage to your property in detail, including taking photos, and inform the relevant authorities and your insurance company.
In cases of severe damage, your tenants might need alternative housing through their insurance provider, and you should immediately contact inspectors and contractors to estimate repair costs and duration.
In the event of a disaster, skilled professionals will ensure resident safety, evaluate property damage, document it with photos, and provide you with the information needed to begin recovery. They will liaise with your insurance company, verify that inspectors and contractors are fully licensed and insured, and help tenants find temporary housing if necessary.
When faced with a lengthy task list, having a reliable property management company is the most efficient way to ensure a speedy recovery. Real Property Management Southeast Idaho can help you determine the risk level for your rental property and develop a strategy to minimize damage. Contact us online or call us at 208-522-2400.
Originally Published on December 28, 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.
