Apartment buildings often experience water damage, and it often occurs without warning. It’s a problem that all owners and landlords experience at some point, and it can be a real nightmare.
Owners of rental properties face added stress as many issues arise, such as who is liable for the damage, whether your insurance policy will cover the damage, where your renters will stay in the interim, and how to deal with business water damage cleanup.
Knowing who to contact for commercial water damage restoration is critical and might save you a lot of trouble in the future. This blog will teach you how to deal with water damage in apartments. It will also teach you what to do while your rental property is vacant and how to avoid future water damage to your rental property.
What to Do If Your Rental Property Sustains Water Damage
So your tenant phones to tell you that a tap was left running all night, causing the bathroom to flood or pipe breaks. What happens next? You should act promptly. It will help reduce the amount of damage done to your property.
Who accepts the blame?
It is the landlord’s job to ensure the property is safe and habitable. As a landlord, you are liable for damage caused by your negligence. Poor plumbing or leaking roofs are your responsibility. They are liable if your tenant is careless and leaves the tap running.
Any necessary repairs and cleanup will be the responsibility of whoever caused the water damage. Similarly, a landlord must convey to a tenant the importance of obtaining comprehensive coverage through their house insurance, as they may incur responsibilities while renting.
Assume that water damage happens due to a natural event like a flood. In that instance, the landlord will be responsible for engaging experienced water damage restoration professionals to treat the water damage.
What about renting a place on Airbnb?
Airbnb provides Host Damage Protection, which covers “damage to your residence or goods caused by a guest.” However, proving that the circumstances that produced the damage were the guests’ fault rather than normal household wear and tear may be difficult. Of course, you can take a security deposit, but it may not cover your expenses. Get an affordable homeowners insurance policy that includes significant water damage coverage.
Take note of the damage.
To file a claim with your insurance firm for repairing and cleaning up water damage, you will need credible evidence of the damage and what caused it. Before you begin repairs, document everything with photos and videos.
Occasionally, your tenant will refuse to accept responsibility for the damage. In this instance, it is still critical to begin repairs. You must still register the damage and document the cost for tax and security deposit deductions. Request and document a restoration specialist’s professional opinion on the problem. It will assist you when filing an insurance claim or engaging in additional legal proceedings with your tenant.
Cooperate with Your Tenants
Water damage in flats can be extremely problematic if not addressed quickly. It can cause more harm to property if left untreated, and microbial growth can develop within 72 hours of water damage. When your tenant signs the lease, you should inform them of the importance of dealing with water damage. They will be more aware of the risks and, perhaps, more willing to cooperate if a water damage crisis happens.
In the event of water damage, you’d want your tenants to be willing to assist with simple tasks such as moving furniture away from the water source. In addition, they should turn off the main water supply. They can also assist you during restoration, especially if you cannot travel.
After Water Damage Repair
If water damage is discovered on your property, it must be repaired and cleaned up as soon as possible. Call your insurance carrier to determine what is covered under your coverage. Once you have this information, you can contact a water damage restoration firm to handle the problem. Even if you can handle some of the repairs yourself, it’s wise to seek professional advice first, especially if your insurance policy requires professionals to reinstate future coverage.
What Should You Do If Your Rental Property Is Not In Use?
Before you begin, whether your property will be vacant for a few days or a few months, make sure to update your insurance coverage. Because there is an increased chance of damage, policies frequently provide low coverage for abandoned properties. A policy may also become void if a property is empty for longer than 30 days. So be sure you understand what your policy covers and the restrictions that apply to vacant properties.
Insurance vacancy permits will provide basic protection against natural calamities but not against vandalism, robbery, glass damage, or water escape. Unfortunately, these permits may also raise your premiums, so consider your options carefully.
The risk of water damage to vacant properties grows significantly throughout the winter. The reason is that people are less likely to notice if something happens wrong in an empty property, such as frozen or burst pipes. Furthermore, your house stays unheated during the winter, increasing the risk of freezing.
How to Lower the Risk of Water Damage in Vacant Properties:
- Disconnect the water supply.
- Empty the toilet tanks and water supply lines.
- Fill plumbing traps with non-toxic antifreeze. These reduce the risk of drain pipes and fixtures freezing and cracking during a power outage.
- Install a temperature monitor to notify you if the heating system fails.
- Install water sensors to alert you if water levels exceed a certain threshold.
- Have the property regularly checked to ensure everything is in working order.
How to Avoid Water Damage in the Future
Let’s look at some preventive measures you may take to reduce the likelihood of water damage occurring at your rental property again.
- Routine Maintenance and Inspections: Not all renters will notify their landlord if they notice a window leak or a dripping faucet. As a landlord, you should schedule routine maintenance and inspections of your property to ensure that your pipes, appliances, gutters, and roof are in proper working order. It should help to reduce any major water issues that may arise.
- Communicate with Your Tenants: Because tenants will have some of the responsibility for water damage, you must educate them on the common causes of water damage in apartments and how they can assist prevent these problems. There are easy things tenants may look out for and DIY solutions they can use if they have any concerns. They can inform you if they avoid easy repair processes but understand how critical it is to notify you of any difficulties as soon as possible.
- Adequate Insurance: It is critical to understand your insurance policy and its coverage. It’s also smart to look into if you need different or more comprehensive coverage since your property, for example, is in a flood zone.
Water damage in apartments is a common issue that causes significant property damage. As a result, landlords must understand how to handle a water damage crisis and collaborate effectively with their renters to avoid catastrophic property damage.
Reztor Restoration Is Here to Assist You With Your Water Damage Problems.
Reztor Restoration assists with even the most serious damage when your house or rental property has suffered water and mould damage. We are certified by the IICRC. These certifications, together with our experience, make us the go-to restoration service provider for insurance companies around the country.
Reztor Restoration assists business establishments in developing an Emergency Preparedness Plan or mitigating flood and storm damage. We’ll get your business back on track as soon as an issue develops.
Professional commercial water damage restoration professionals are unrivalled. Locate a Reztor Restoration office near you today!
