If you didn’t think about hurricane season preparation before, now it is the right time to do it. The hurricane season runs from June 1st until November 30th. As a property owner, you should prepare your rental to protect your investment and its occupants. Here are a few things you should do.
Protection of the property
Before a hurricane is forecast you should inspect your property to make sure it’s in good condition and can sustain strong winds and rain. A year-round preventive maintenance can help avoid last minute expenses.
Check roof, doors, windows and reinforce them if necessary. Board up when the storm is approaching.
Trim trees that can cause damage and clean gutters to ensure water will drain out.
Clear out patio, backyard and secure any object that can cause damage to the property.
Insurance
You should review your insurance policy and make sure you have adequate coverage.
Contact your agent, he will help you in this process.
Tenants
Reach out to your tenants and make them aware of the necessary steps to take in order to protect themselves and the property.
Encourage them to prepare a hurricane emergency kit with water, non-perishable food, batteries, flashlights, first aid kits, … They can find a comprehensive list online along with other hurricane preparedness information on the National Hurricane Center’s website or National Weather service.
Encourage them to have insurance coverage for their personal belongings.
Damage after the storm
After the storm, as you assess the condition of your property, any damage should be reported to your insurance right away.
Take pictures of the damage before taking action to clean or repair and document them. A public adjuster can help you in the process of submitting the claim to your insurance.
Fix any damage than can cause injuries or further damage as soon as you have documented it.
You should also make your tenants aware they will have to follow the same documentation procedure to submit their claim to their insurance.
