Natural disasters can happen in any region 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 mangles a rental property, Property owners have certain responsibilities to their renters beyond attending to the casualties to the rental home. The nature of the responsibilities lay on whether your Morrisville property is still habitable or not.
As a landowner, you understand that all rental homes should be fit for human habitation. Regardless of 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 basic standards, a tenant is under no obligation to pay rent and may even cancel the lease. They may also be capable to take their security deposit without a second thought in full.
When a rental household is struck by a natural disaster in Morrisville, the extent of the damages must be assessed right away. The damages should be thoroughly documents, in the event that concerns and questions arise later on. If the damage is minimal and the tenant will be displaced for only a course of a few days or weeks, your responsibilities as a property owner are to make sure the repairs are done in a quick manner. Your tenant may still be obligated to fulfill the terms of the lease, and be responsible to pay to replace or repair any damage to their personal property.
Having said that, if the damage is extensive, or the restoration 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 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 respond after a natural disaster and which processes to move forward with in regards to the lease, rental payments, and security deposits is something the whizzes at Real Property Management Raleigh have years of proficiency with. With our crew on your side, you can stay collected and confident that even when disaster hits, your Morrisville rental properties are in the unparalleled potential hands. Please contact us online or call us at 919-481-0008 for more 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.
