Water damage is one of the worst things a property manager and tenant can face. It is going to reduce the value of the rental property while posing serious health risks to the inhabitants. This is why it is essential to know to deal with water damage. Knowing this is going to help you avoid a lot of issues later on.
Be Careful When It Comes to The Person Taking Responsibility
When you are the landlord, it is important to keep in mind that it is your responsibility to ensure the property is safe and habitable. Landlords are going to be the ones responsible for the damages happening as a result of their negligence. This means the landlord has to deal with water damage that was caused by bad plumbing and pipes.
Tenants are responsible for their actions that can result in water damage. If a tenant leaves the house and they forget to turn off the sink, then the landlord is not going to be at fault for any damage resulting from that. The tenant is going to be responsible for any costs associated with the repairs and work needed to bring the rental back to the condition it was in when they moved in. If you leave it to the tenant and have the work done by an inexperienced contractor that affects habitability, then it makes you responsible. This is why it is important to make sure that the work is done by a professional.
Things tend to be a little more complicated when the water damage is the result of a natural phenomenon such as flooding. There is no specific party to blame in such a situation, so the task can be split between landlords and tenants. The landlord is going to reach out to a professional water damage restoration company and the tenants need to deal with the water damage in any way they can. The landlord can also provide the tenants with temporary accommodation as the repairs are being done (check out the landlord-tenant laws in your area because there are many states that have this as a requirement).
Documenting the Damage
In many cases, water damage is severe and it may force you to rely on your insurance. It will be hard to prove the extent of the damage without reliable evidence. You are most likely going to work with a property claim adjuster; it is important to understand the damage done and your rights in this situation.
You have to deal with the water damage as soon as possible to avoid further damage that will force you to spend even more. Make sure you always document everything with videos and pictures, regardless of the cause of the damage. This should be done even if the tenant is the one at fault and refuses to take responsibility. You should deal with the repairs, documenting the cost for tax purposes and security deposits when the tenant’s lease is up. A professional plumber is also going to have an opinion on who is at fault. Find a local plumber qualified to take care of your leak. You should always have good documentation on any damage, repairs, or discovery of cause or fault. You may need the proof in the future, even if you don’t think you need it.
Educating Tenants
Property managers and landlords have to protect their property. It is a good idea to work with your tenants when dealing with past or active water damage. While you may not always be there to help them, you can always give them some advice.
Begin by assessing the situation and figuring out how you can help them. If the tenants tell you that they have a problem with a broken pipe or something similar, you can advise them to turn off the water supply from the mains. Tell them to remove their electrical appliances from the areas with water to avoid fires and electrical damage. They can also avoid damaging their furniture by moving them away from the water source.
Regular Inspections and Maintenance
There are times when water damage isn’t seen for months before anyone starts to notice it. By this time, it would have caused a lot of damage to the property. There are some tenants who don’t inform the landlords right away when there is water damage. This is why you need routine maintenance and inspection on the exterior and interior of your property. If there is any damage, you will notice it early and prevent further damage. Repair roofing damage at the first sign of leakage with the right tools – https://www.rubberroofingdirect.co.uk/epdm-roofing-tools.html
Cleaning Up after Water Damage
The responsibility for the water damage is going to fall on either the tenants or the landlords. As a landlord, it is your responsibility to make sure that the property is repaired no matter who is at fault. Reach out to your insurance company and see their policy on water damage. With some luck, you can end up recovering half the money you need to make the repairs.
The next step is finding a good water restoration company so that they can assess and handle the water damage. While you can do the repairs on your property by yourself, it is a good idea to work with professionals. Insurance usually covers professional repairs. You risk losing money by not hiring a professional.
The Bottom Line
Water damage is common, but it can have devastating effects on the property. This makes it important to know everything from the cleanup of the water damage to restoration. Most tenants don’t have a lot of experience with water damage, which makes the landlord the one to do the heavy lifting. With a little knowledge and research, you can educate your tenants on water damage and how to deal with it. When you work with the tenants, you can prevent further damage to your home or property.
