Landlords are concerned about their rental property. of course, they don't want any damage, but they are most worried about the water damage. It decreases the value of the property and can be a health risk for the residents. So, every landlord should have basic information about water damage to avoid making the situation worse.
Deciding the responsibility
The property belongs to the owner, so you have to ensure that your rental property is handled safely. However, if any damage occurs due to your irresponsibility, you have to be responsible for that. For example, you have to do all the repairs if the damage is done due to pipe leakage or bad plumbing. However, if the damage is done due to the irresponsibility of the renters, they must take responsibility. For instance, if the damage is done due to an overflow of water as residents forget to turn off the tap before leaving the house, the landlord is not responsible for that damage. In this case, the renter will be bear the costs and maintain the property in its original condition. However, if the tenant hires an inexperienced worker, it can ruin your property. So, you must involve a professional person to solve such problems.
Another reason for water damage can be natural disasters like flooding. In such cases, we cannot blame the tenant, and the landlord is also not responsible. In these situations, the expenses can be divided between landlords and residents. The landlord can hire a professional company, which deals with water damage restoration. The company professional with tell the estimated cost of restoration, and both parties can split that cost. If you have space, you can accommodate your tenants until the repair work is done.
Keep a record of the damage
Water damage can be as little as leaking pipe, and it can be very severe too. If the damage is serious, you may need to contact your insurance company for coverage. In this case, you need proof of the extent of the damage. In addition, you may need to work with a property claim adjuster. If this situation arises, you must handle it very carefully.
You can delay certain repairs in your house, but you have to address the problem as soon as possible if it is about water damage. Delay can result in more damage. The cause of damage could be any, but make sure you correctly record everything take pictures, and make videos. It may seem like a minor problem, but later, you may need to claim the insurance.
If your tenant does not accept the responsibility for damage in a different scenario, you have to get it repaired anyway. It's your property; if you do not get it repaired, the extent of damage will increase. In this case, you have to keep a record of the damage. This documentation will help you to make a deduction from the security deposit. In addition, you can record the plumber's opinion, who can tell that what is the cause of this damage. If you have proof, you can deduct the repairing amount without any problem. If you do not have any documents or proof, you will not deduct the repairing charges.
Keep your tenants informed.
Protection of your property is the first and foremost responsibility of the landlords. If you are a property manager, it is your job to protect the property of the owner. It's essential to communicate with the tenants, either it is about present damage or any past event. You can ensure your tenants that you are ready to help them in case of any damage. For example, if there is a broken pipe, you can ask them to shut down the main water supply. Furthermore, you can ask them to remove electrical appliances from the vicinity, to prevent further damage.
Regular maintenance
Water damage can be secretive. You may not notice the damage until it is enormous. Sometimes, tenants notice the problem but do not inform the landlords or property managers. If you have planned regular maintenance activity, such incidents can be easily avoided. Hire professionals for inspection of interior and exterior. You can notice broken pipes before they cause any damage, and it will save a lot of your money.
Water damage cleans Up
As we have discussed earlier, water damage restoration is the responsibility of the landlord and tenant. Whosoever is responsible for the damage; repairing is unavoidable. You should contact your insurance company and get information about their water damage policy. If you have proper documents, you can claim nearly half of the amount for repairs.
After that, you have to contact a restoration company for the professional handling of the problem. Of course, the landlords themselves can easily do some problems like a change of pipe. But hiring professionals is always recommended. Some insurance policies cover the work done by professionals only. If you try to do the repairing yourself, you can lose your money.
Verdict
We have to admit that water damage is typical in houses, and it can cause damage to your property from a minor to a considerable extent. So landlords and property managers should have complete information about the water damage. From calling a restoration company to cleaning up, you must know the complete procedure. Most of the time, tenants do not take responsibility, and landlords have to bear all the water damage restoration expenses. If you communicate correctly with your tenants, you can educate them to handle the situation in any water damage emergency. Your support can enable your tenants to handle a difficult situation. As a result, you can save your property from massive damages. However, it is essential to document all the damage and restoration activities properly.
Moreover, you must have accurate information about the insurance cover in case of any problem. Regular maintenance and home inspection can help you to avoid any considerable scale damage. Hiring professional restoration companies can save you a lot of trouble.
If you’d like to talk more about property management, or you need help with Everest Property Management, please contact us at Everest Realty.
