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

Natural disasters can happen at any minute and at any one place. Regardless of whether a tornado, flood, earthquake, or fire, natural disasters cause extensive property damage and displace thousands of people every year. As soon as a natural disaster happens and destroys a rental property, landlords have certain responsibilities to their renters beyond facing the wreckage to the rental property. The nature of these responsibilities is determined by the simple fact of. is your Southfield property still habitable or not?

As a property owner, you should already know that all rental homes must be suitable for human habitation. Regardless of the locale, all rentals must provide a tenant with water, heat, electricity, and a sanitary and structurally safe building. Though the precise guidelines can vary, certain guidelines state that if the rental home breaks any of these standards, a tenant is under no obligation to pay rent and may even cancel the lease. There is also a possibility that the tenants will be eligible to collect their security deposit promptly in full.

Right after a rental home is destroyed by a natural disaster in Southfield, the damage needs to be assessed straight away. Damage should also be thoroughly documented, on the off chance that questions occur down the line. If the damage is minimal and the tenant will be displaced for a few days or weeks, your responsibilities as an owner are to repair the damage as swiftly as possible. Your tenants may still be obligated to meet the terms of the lease, as well as pay to repair or replace any damage to their own personal property.

With that being said, 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 might 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. Also, 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 respond after a natural disaster and how to proceed with regards to the lease, rental payments, and security deposits is something the experts at Real Property Management Metro Detroit have a great deal of experience with. With our team working closely with you, you can keep relaxed and sure in the knowledge that even when disaster hammers, your Southfield rental properties are in hands you can lean upon. Please contact us online or call us at 248-808-6550 for extra information.