4 Things You Need To Know About Flooding, Rental Properties, and Insurance

12/18/2019 (Permalink)

Office flooded in Trenton, OH

4 Things You Need To Know About Flooding, Rental Properties, and Insurance

When flood damage affects your building, there are sure to be some difficult emotions, whether you're a tenant or the property owner. It can be especially rough if you're not sure who should be responsible for the damages. Unfortunately, there isn't much time to determine who should pay because damages get worse rapidly as water sits. Renter's insurance may include flood coverage, but only if the separate policy has been added. Here's what else you need to know:


It is the renter's responsibility to get insurance.


Anyone renting space in a commercial building or living as a tenant in a rental space should have renter's insurance. Sometimes, the owner of the property requires insurance coverage before allowing the renter to move it, but it is not the owner's responsibility to make sure tenants are properly covered.


Landlords are responsible for structural elements of the building.


This responsibility includes elements such as flooring, window treatments, and appliances. Basically, anything that is included in the rent is part of the landlord's responsibility. When storm damage has made it impossible for the building to be habitable, the landlord is responsible for repairs to make the space livable.


Landlords are responsible to ensure proper maintenance.


Plumbing and electricity are included in this responsibility. If a toilet, tub, or sink isn't draining properly or is backed up, the landlord may be charged with negligence when items are damaged. However, tenants must prove negligence. This means maintaining a detailed record of any mishaps and how often the landlord was contacted for corrections.


Insurance for renters doesn't cover everything.


Tenants can expect insurance policies to cover the replacement of personal items, temporary relocation costs, and some daily living expenses. However, the policy doesn't cover everything involved in flood damage. It's important to carefully review all policy paperwork to fully understand what's included.

After flood damage occurs in a rental building in Trenton, OH, water cleanup experts are sure to be called for repairs. When all is said and done, however, the cost for those cleanup efforts may be shared by the property owners and the renters. The right commercial property and renter's insurance policies are essential for a full recovery.