14 Apr Learn How to Deal with Water Damage On Your Rental Property
Apartment water damage can often strike without warning. This is a problem that both landlords and homeowners have to deal with at some point.
Renting properties can add stress to your life. There are many questions that need answering: Who is responsible, what insurance will cover it, where will your tenants go, how will you deal with commercial water damage restoration?
It is important to know who to call for commercial water damage repair. This will save you a lot of headaches down the line.
This article will discuss how to deal with water damage in apartments and what to do if your rental property becomes vacant. It also discusses how to prevent future water damage.
How to Respond to Water Damage in Your Rental Property
Your tenant calls to tell you that the tap had been left on all night, and the bathroom has flooded. Or that a pipe burst. What now? Water damage should be dealt with quickly. This will reduce the damage to your property.
Who is responsible?
It is the landlord’s responsibility, however, to ensure that the property is safe and habitable. You, the landlord, are responsible for any damage caused by your negligence.
Bad plumbing, a leaky roof, and other issues are your responsibility. If your tenant is careless and leaves the tap running throughout the night, it’s your responsibility.
The person responsible for the water damage caused by negligence will be responsible for all associated cleanup and repairs.
A landlord should explain to tenants how important it is for them to have comprehensive coverage on their home insurance as they could be held responsible for any liabilities that may arise while renting.
Let’s say water damage is caused by a natural disaster like a flood. The landlord would be responsible for calling Long Beach, CA water damage restoration professionals to address the water damage.
How about an Airbnb rental?
Airbnb offers Host Protection which covers damage to your property or belongings that is caused by guests. However, it may be difficult to prove the guests are responsible and not household wear and tear.
Although you can take the security deposit, it may not cover all of your expenses. You should consider getting homeowners insurance that includes extensive coverage for water damage.
Keep track of the damage
You will need to provide proof of water damage and the cause in order to claim your insurance company’s costs. Before you begin with the repairs, make sure to document everything by taking photos and videos.
Sometimes, your tenant may refuse to take responsibility for any damage. It’s important to start repairs even if your tenant refuses to take responsibility. Record the damage and the cost to be eligible for security deposit and tax deductions.
Document the professional opinion of a restoration expert on the matter. This document will be helpful in claiming insurance and other legal proceedings with your tenant.
Get to know your tenants
Water damage to apartments can become very serious if it isn’t dealt with quickly. Water damage can further damage your property if it isn’t addressed quickly. Microbial growth can occur in 72 hours.
It is important to inform your tenant about the importance of water damage mitigation when they sign the lease. You can make sure they are aware of the risks, and will be willing to help if there is a water damage situation.
Your tenants should be prepared to assist you in the event of water damage. This includes moving your furniture away from the source of the water and turning off the main water supply. They can also assist you with the restoration process, even if they are not physically able to.
Water Damage Restoration
It doesn’t matter who caused the damage, property must be fixed and cleaned up immediately after it is discovered. To begin, get in touch with your insurance company to find out which coverage is available. Once you have this information, you can call a Long Beach water damage restoration firm to address the problem.
Even if you are able to do some repairs yourself, it is best to seek the advice of experts, especially if your insurance policy requires that experts restore your coverage in the future.
What to do if your rental property is not occupied?
First, your policy should be updated if your property is unoccupied for a period of time, whether it’s for a few days, or several months. Because vacant properties are more likely to be damaged, polices may offer less coverage.
A policy can also be void if a property is not used for 30 days. Make sure you know what your policy covers and what the rules are regarding vacant properties.
Insurance vacancy permits offer basic protection against natural disasters but not vandalism or theft and escape from water.
These permits can also increase your premiums. Make sure you understand what you are getting into.
Winter brings an increase in the likelihood of water damage to vacant properties. Because it is more difficult for people to notice problems in vacant properties, such as frozen pipes or burst pipes, this makes them less likely to report them.
Additionally, your property is not heated when it’s vacant so the chance of freezing is higher.
How to reduce the risk of water damage for vacant property:
- Turn off the water supply.
- Drain the water supply lines and toilet tanks.
- Non-toxic antifreeze can be added to plumbing traps. This will decrease the chance of fixtures and drain pipes freezing.
- Cracking is possible if there isn’t enough heating.
- To be notified if your heating stops, install a temperature monitor.
- Water sensors can be installed that will activate if water levels exceed a set level.
- To ensure that everything runs smoothly, have someone inspect the property on a regular basis.
How to prevent future water damage
Let’s look at preventative measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of water damage to your rental property.
- Regular maintenance and inspections: Some tenants won’t alert their landlord if they notice a leaky window or a drippy tap. Routine maintenance and inspections should be planned by landlords to ensure that your roof, pipes, gutters, appliances, and roof are in good condition. You can avoid any water problems from becoming serious.
- Talk to your Tenants: Because tenants are responsible for water damage, it is important that you communicate with them about common issues and ways they can prevent this from happening. Tenants can be proactive and take simple steps to fix any issues. While they can tell you that they prefer not to repair simple problems, they also know how important it’s to notify you right away if there are any..
- You need to know what your insurance policy covers. You should also investigate whether you may need a more comprehensive policy if your property is in a flood zone.
Water damage to apartments is a common problem that can cause serious property damage. To prevent property destruction, landlords must know how to deal with water damage and how to communicate well with tenants.