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This is even worse when the landlord is responsible for multiple tenants in a single property. Then, the landlord pays for housing for each of the tenants until the property is back. The landlord also loses rental payments from the time that the tenants are out of the property.
However, many landlords invest in their own insurance which will likely cover most, if not all, of these costs.
So, now that we know about all the costs of a property fire, let's go over some of the other steps involved.
What To Do After A Property Fire Has Occurred
Below, we will be going over some of the general steps that should always be taken after a house fire has occurred.
Document Everything
As with almost everything in property management, it is super important to document everything. After the fire department has cleared the property, it is time for you to conduct your own investigation.
In this investigation, it is vital that you document everything you see, smell, or even hear. Since all of this can be used in a potential lawsuit, it can even save you money. It is also super important in the process of filing an insurance claim.
Also, since the landlord's deductible can be affected by the damages, they would not want any extra damages being reported. The landlord should also inspect all rental agreements to make sure that they are knowledgeable of any language about property damage within the agreement.
If the lease does not have anything on it regarding property damage or renters insurance, it may be a sign for the landlord to make some lease provisions.
Determine Liability
After documenting everything and speaking with the tenant and fire department, the cause of the fire should be known. Once the cause of the fire is known, liability can be determined.
As mentioned before, the landlord's insurance will typically be responsible for covering a large chunk of the costs. However, this is only if the fire was caused by some faulty structural element. If not, the tenant may be liable for all the damages caused by the fire.
In this case, the landlord's insurance company may seek the tenant's insurer for the costs. If the company provides limited coverage, or the tenant does not have insurance at all, the landlord's insurance may seek compensation from the tenants themselves.
Being Repairing Immediately
This is especially important if the landlord is bearing all costs of the fire themselves. In these cases, the landlord already has to pay for damages, relocation, and even the tenant's inconvenience. The last thing the landlord would want is to have a vacant property for an extended period of time.
Another thing that is important to note is that the landlord should never do this work themselves. This is because damages from fires are usually much more severe than typical property damages.
Getting The Property Reinspected
One of the final things that should always be done on the rental property is getting it reinspected. By getting the property reinspected, you can officially continue renting it out to the original tenants. Or, you can list it back on the market and find a different set of tenants.
Without reinspection, the tenants may not feel comfortable with going back to the property. Also, this is the only way for the property to get a certificate of occupancy, which is the only way for the property to be released.
The laws regarding this may be different regarding the state where the property is located. If you want to find out more about your state’s landlord-tenant laws, check out with your lawyer to learn more.
Conclusion
Overall, a property fire can be a very costly event. Not only can it result in heavy financial losses, but it can also result in personal losses in the form of belongings or even family members. For this reason, it is important to do everything with caution and care. It is also important to provide the tenants with support when they need it as they can be suffering more than you in those times. |
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