Some parts of the country are expecting stormy weather over the weekend and blustery conditions are set to continue for a number of days. It is important landlords know how to prepare for this type of weather, to ensure their tenants and properties are safe. As well as keeping up to date with the weather forecast, if a storm is likely to impact the location where your rental properties we often make contact with our tenants and, if you manage the property yourself, you should too. You should ask them if there is anything noticeable on the outside of the property that needs attention – especially if it could prove to be dangerous. Things to look out for include loose tiles. You could also remind tenants to ensure/check loose items like wheelie bins, garden furniture and fence panels are secure.
What should we do after a storm?
- Following the storm, check the property for obvious signs of structural damage, such as lose roof tiles. It could be a good idea to ask if your tenants have noticed any damage to, so as to make sure they are safe.
- If the worst has happened, any structural damage to properties will need to be paid for through home insurance claims. Many firms will have 24-hour home emergency helplines that landlords and homeowners can call for advice on how to get repairs sorted as quickly as possible.
- Landlords are advised to take photographs of the damage and note down the time it took place so that insurers can tally this up with weather reports.
Sally Hatcher