Natural disasters can come whenever and wherever. Whether a tornado, flood, earthquake, or fire, natural disasters cause extensive property damage and displace thousands of people every year. Shortly after a natural disaster hits and demolishes a rental property, landlords have certain responsibilities to their renters that go beyond addressing the damage to the rental residence. The nature of these responsibilities will depend on where your Roosevelt property is still habitable or not.
As a property owner, your knowledge that all rental homes need to be suited for human habitation. No matter the location, all rentals must provide a tenant with water, heat, electricity, and a sanitary and structurally safe building. While the exact regulations vary, some regulations state that if the rental home does not meet these standards, a tenant is under no obligation to pay rent and may even cancel the lease. They may also be eligible to receive their security deposit immediately in full.
Once a rental home has been damaged by a natural disaster in Roosevelt, the extent of the damage should be assessed as soon as possible. Also, damage should be thoroughly documented, in the case that questions arise at a later time. If the damage is minimal and the tenant will be displaced for just a few days or weeks, your responsibilities as an owner are to repair the damage as quickly as possible. Your tenant may still be required to meet the agreed upon terms of the lease, as well as they will be responsible for paying for any repairs or replace any damage to their own personal property.
However, if the damage is extensive, or the repairs will take several months or more, it is the responsibility of the owner to determine how to handle the lease. If the home is uninhabitable, you may be required to release your renter from the lease and return the security deposit in full. A tenants’ security deposit cannot be used to pay for damages caused by a natural disaster. Over and above, if the natural disaster strikes close to the beginning of the month or immediately after a month’s rent has been paid, the landlord may have a responsibility to return that month’s rent to the renter.
Understanding how to respond after a natural disaster and which measures to take regarding the lease, rental payments, and security deposits is something the experts at Real Property Management Uintah have vast experience with. With our team teaming up with you, you can remain calm and collective in the knowledge that even when disaster knocks, your Roosevelt rental properties are in hands you can have faith in. Please contact us online or call us at 435-214-4686 for more and new information.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
