How To Deal With A Fire As A Property Manager

It probably goes without saying that a fire at a rental property you own or manage is bad news.?Still, they can happen, so it’s very important to be prepared.?Here are a few things you’ll want to be ready to do if a major fire occurs at one of your properties.

Secure the property

When major property damage occurs and residents are displaced, the number of people who are around the property goes down and the risk of injury goes up.?That’s the perfect recipe for someone to trespass on the property and get hurt, which is the last thing you need.?Take steps to prevent it by securing the property against trespassers.

Talk to your residents

Residents, especially if they were home at the time the fire started, may have information about what happened.?They may have seen, heard, or even smelled something, and that information can be valuable.?It can help you determine the cause of the fire and aid in any investigations that may take place.

Determine liability

A major fire can result in?a lot?of unexpected costs.?You probably have insurance — and your residents probably do too — but the parties will need to make a determination on who pays for what and how much.?There can be a lot of money at stake here, so making the correct determination regarding liability is extremely important.

Help residents find new housing

If a fire has displaced residents, they’ll need to find someplace else to stay, at least temporarily.?You can help them with that — and depending on the specifics of the situation, you may even be required to.?There may be local organizations in your area that can help you with this process; if not, the Red Cross can also provide aid.