Natural Disasters: What Are Your Responsibilities as a Grandville Landlord?

Natural disasters can happen in any city or neighborhood, and it can happen at any time. Whether a tornado, flood, earthquake, or fire, natural disasters cause extensive property damage and displace thousands of people every year. When a natural disaster hits and damages a rental property, the landlords are responsible for more than just repairing the rental home. They have other obligations to their renters that they need to fulfill. The quality of these responsibilities depends on whether your Grandville property is still habitable or not.

As an owner, you understand that all rental homes must be suitable for human habitation. Even though the location of the property should not be taken into consideration; all rentals must provide a tenant with water, heat, electricity, and a sanitary and structurally safe building. While the exact regulations differ from area to area, some regulations declare 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. You may also have to immediately return their security deposit in full.

Therefore, when a natural disaster in Grandville hits a rental home, an assessment as to the extent of the damage must be made immediately. Also, the damage must be thoroughly documented, in case any questions would arise. If the damage is minimal and the tenant will be displaced for two or three days or weeks, your role as an owner is to mend the damage at once. Your tenant may still be obligated to fulfill the terms of the lease, as well as pay to fix or to replace any damage to their personal property.

If, however, the damage is extensive, or it will take several months or more to finish the repairs, it is the responsibility of the owner to determine how to handle the lease. If the home is uninhabitable, you would probably need 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. Additionally, 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.

Knowing how to act after a natural disaster and what measures to take regarding the lease, rental payments, and security deposits is something the experts at Real Property Management Investment Solutions have a lot of experience with. With our business on your side, you can stay calm and satisfied in the knowledge that even when disaster hits, your Grandville rental premises are in right hands. Please contact us online or give us a call at 616-419-8880 for more information.