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Our topic today is water damage and how to handle it in a rental property.
Water damage is one of the biggest issues that property owners and professional property managers have to deal with on a regular basis. Water can come from anywhere; its sources are vast. Water can also be especially damaging. If you don’t respond to it quickly, it will lead to other damages and the cost and the catastrophe will only grow.
You need to know how to handle the situation when water begins coming into your property. It’s important to be as quick and expedient as possible. Let’s discuss some critical first steps.
Identify the Source of the Water
First, you need to find out where the water is coming from. Once you have identified the source of the water, stop it as best you can. If it’s a pipe in the property that has burst or a sink that will not stop flooding, or some other source that you can control, turn the water off.
If the source of the water is something natural, such as rain or a bad storm, you’ll have to do whatever you can to remediate the situation as quickly as possible. Try to prevent any further flooding or damage from occurring. For example, if it’s a roof leak and the water is coming down hard, you’ll need to push through the ceiling. Punch a hole in it and put a bucket under the leak so that you can capture all of the water in one place.
Begin Drying the Space As Soon as Possible
The next step is to dry the areas affected by water as quickly as possible. We like to move on and complete the drying process within 48 hours of a water event. This is best done by using fans and opening doors and walls. It’s also helpful to put heating systems to use, and to use air scrubbers and other equipment and techniques. Do what you can to dry the property as soon as possible.
Inspect the area that was flooded or damaged. If you see extensive discoloration, damage or even mold on the walls, you don’t want to waste any time. Remove that area and have a professional look at it immediately.
Water can be a frustrating problem to have as a landlord and as a resident. Remember that the safety and comfort of your tenants is even more important than preserving the condition of your investment. It’s important that you communicate early and frequently with your tenants. Set expectations and make sure they know what to do if they notice a leak or any kind of water intrusion at the property.
These are some of the keys to resolving your water issue as soon as possible.
We have more information on our website, so check out the resources we’ve provided on how to handle water and communicate with tenants. If you have any questions about your rental property, please contact us at EJF Real Estate Services.
