Skip to Content

Natural Disasters: What Are Your Responsibilities as a Mountain House Landlord?

Mountain House Tenant’s Car Damaged by a Natural DisasterNatural disasters can occur suddenly seemingly out of nowhere. Whether it be a tornado, flood, earthquake, or fire, natural disasters cause extensive property damage and displace thousands of people every year. Whenever a natural disaster hits and causes damages to a rental property, landlords have specific responsibilities to their renters other than addressing the damage to the rental home. The scope of these responsibilities is conditional to your Mountain House property and whether it is still habitable or not.

Any owner recognizes that all rental homes have to be fit for human habitation. It doesn’t matter where the location is; all rentals must provide a tenant with water, heat, electricity, and a sanitary and structurally safe building. Regulations are not the same in all places. Some rules state that in the event a rental home does not meet these guidelines, a tenant is under no obligation to pay rent and may even cancel the lease. They could also even get their security deposit back shortly after and in full amount.

Damage should also be thoroughly documented, in case questions arise later on. If the damage is minimal and the tenant will be displaced for only a matter of days or weeks, you should make repairs in a fair time, which is why assessment must be done soon after a natural disaster in Mountain House occurs. Your tenant may still be obligated to meet the terms of the lease, as well as pay to repair or replace any damage to their personal property.

If, however, 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 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. In addition, 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 steps to take regarding the lease, rental payments, and security deposits is something the experts at Real Property Management One have years of experience with. With our team on your side, you can stay calm and confident in the knowledge that even when disaster hits, your Mountain House rental properties are in the best possible hands. Please contact us online or call us at 925-794-8339 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.

The Neighborly Done Right Promise

The Neighborly Done Right Promise ® delivered by Real Property Management, a proud Neighborly company

When it comes to finding the right property manager for your investment property, you want to know that they stand behind their work and get the job done right – the first time. At Real Property Management we have the expertise, technology, and systems to manage your property the right way. We work hard to optimize your return on investment while preserving your asset and giving you peace of mind. Our highly trained and skilled team works hard so you can be sure your property's management will be Done Right.

Canada excluded. Services performed by independently owned and operated franchises.

See Full Details