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Owner vs. Renter Liability: Navigating Disaster Responsibilities

A tree fallen on an SUV during an intense storm. As a rental property owner in North Charleston, it’s beneficial to understand your responsibilities in preparedness for major storms and natural disasters that can cause extensive damage. This pertains to learning how to properly 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 primarily and wholly the property owner’s responsibility. But take note, both renters and rental property owners have liabilities referring to property damage. Taking in these liabilities is a pertinent part of being prepared for and recovering from misfortune.

As an example, countless 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, in the process, destroys a vehicle belonging to a resident, whose responsibility is it to cover the cost of repairs? When this is the case, paying for the damage is not your responsibility. Rather, 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 every now and then. In the unfortunate event of a natural disaster damaging a rental property, it is the legal obligation of the property owner to warrant that the living conditions of the property are safe and habitable for the tenants. Moreover, the property owner is furthermore financially responsible for fixing and covering the expenses related to the repair work required to restore the property to a habitable state.

But take heed, the resident’s personal property such as vehicles, the cost of transportation caused by an evacuation, lodging, food, and other expenses are all the resident’s responsibility. As long as the property is totally repaired to a habitable state within a short period, the resident may still be responsible for the lease terms. They must have more than ample renter’s insurance to cover briefly needing alternative accommodations and to suitably protect their personal belongings in case of damage or loss. Persuading your tenants to do so may save you both any other headache in the event of a disaster.

How to stay prepared as a landlord

As a landlord, it is important to prioritize disaster preparedness. Potential disasters can massively impact your rental properties and tenants. To always warrant the safety and security of your properties, take on doing an expansive property risk assessment, acquiring ample insurance coverage, and executing preventative measures such as reinforcing vulnerable areas, securing loose objects, and putting up surge protectors.

Bringing about a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan and clearly communicating evacuation routes and emergency contacts to your tenants are pivotal steps. Organizing protocols for securing the property also contributes to proactive disaster preparedness, positively safeguarding your rental properties and the well-being of your tenants in the end.

At Real Property Management Instant Equity, we are wholeheartedly committed to helping North Charleston rental property owners like you navigate the challenges and nuisances of natural disasters and other weather-related incidents. Contact us online or call us at 843-898-5743 today to understand more as far as it concerns how we can offer you the guidance and support you desire.

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