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.