Dealing with Water Damage for Landlords

12/19/2023 (Permalink)

Learn essential steps for landlords dealing with water damage at rental properties. Act swiftly, get professional help and prioritize tenant safety.

Water damage can be a challenging situation for landlords to navigate when it occurs at their rental properties. From potential structural issues to damaged belongings, water damage can disrupt tenants’ lives and pose significant financial risks for landlords. In the article, we’ll discuss essential steps that landlords should take when faced with water damage.

Act Swiftly and Prioritize Safety                                        

When water damage occurs, the first concern should be the safety of the tenants. Shut off the water source to prevent further damage and ensure the electrical system is turned off in the affected areas. If necessary, advise tenants to temporarily relocate to ensure their safety and mitigate additional damage.

Document and Assess the Damage

Thoroughly document the extent of the water damage by taking photos or videos. This documentation will be critical for insurance claims and discussions with tenants. Assess the affected areas, including walls, flooring, carpets, and furniture to determine the extent of the damage.

Contact Your Insurance Provider

Notify your insurance company about the water damage as soon as possible. Familiarize yourself with the policy’s coverage for water damage and any specific requirements for filing a claim. Providing accurate information and supporting documentation will facilitate the claims process.

Engage a Professional Water Damage Restoration Service

Water damage restoration is a complex process that requires specialized knowledge and equipment. Engaging professional water damage restoration services ensures that the property is thoroughly dried, mitigating the risk of mold growth and further damage.

Address Carpet Cleaning and Repair

Carpeting is particularly vulnerable to water damage, as it absorbs moisture and can develop mold or mildew. Your water damage restoration company can evaluate the carpet’s condition and will employ techniques such as deep cleaning, deodorization, and drying to salvage the carpets. They can also advise if you need to replace the carpets.

Communicate with Tenants

Maintaining open and transparent communication with tenants is crucial throughout the water damage restoration process. Keep them informed about the situation, the steps being taken, and any necessary adjustments to their living arrangements. Address their concerns promptly to foster a positive landlord-tenant relationship.

Prevent Further Damage

As a last step, make sure that the issue that caused the damage has been corrected. In addition, educate your tenants on how to prevent and report potential water damage incidents to help mitigate future losses.

SERVPRO of Mandarin can provide full-service water damage restoration services to help you recover from the damage, mitigate the ongoing effects, and get your rental properties back up and running. SERVPRO has been the leader in the disaster restoration industry. We maintain a staff of highly trained, IICRC Certified technicians who have the experience and know how to mitigate your losses quickly and effectively. We have teams that are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to be able to respond to any emergency. As part of a national network of over 2000 franchises with special disaster recovery teams, we have access to additional manpower and equipment. In the case of a community wide disaster, we have the capabilities to handle whatever comes our way.

For additional information about the services we offer, visit our website or call us at 904-636-0044.