We are considering buying a multi-family rental property in the coastal region. Would we have some sort of responsibility to the tenants in the event of hurricane damage to the property?
Landlords with rental properties in areas that are at risk for hurricanes, flooding, and storm surges must take certain precautions to protect their properties and ensure tenant safety during storm season. Landlords can help protect the safety of their tenants and reduce damage to their properties by providing tenants with information to resources that address weather issues such as how to prepare for a hurricane, preparing an emergency kit, and tips for safe shelter during a storm. Basic information about evacuation routes, locations of emergency shelters, and property preparations in the event of a weather emergency should be discussed during tenant move-in and provided as a tenant hand-out for later reference during tenancy.
A landlord has a duty of care towards his tenants to be prepared to handle weather emergencies. Tenant safety and property protection should be the priority focus in developing emergency plans for shelter and supplies. Communication with tenants is important before and after a storm. Tenants should know what protections could be offered by sheltering in place, what should be done when the storm warning is issued, and what must be done for safety when the storm hits. Tenants should be advised that essential services to rental units such as power, water, and utilities, may be interrupted as a result of a storm. Tenants should be prepared with emergency kits and sufficient food and water supplies for a minimum of 72 hours as a precaution for outages or damages. If the tenant will have specific responsibilities under the lease agreement for safety measures and damage control – e.g., for a single-family home rental – the lease agreement should clearly define the roles and responsibilities of landlord and tenant.
Before the hurricane season arrives, a landlord should conduct a property inspection to identify repair or protective work that must be done. to keep wind and water out, roof shingles secured, and any openings, cracks, or holes sealed against moisture.