Most landlords and property managers are prepared for leaky roofs and holes in the wall. Unfortunately, there are bigger dangers out there that you need to worry about. While a natural disaster is uncommon, it can still happen. This is why landlords should always be prepared:
Start Before, Not After
Many will make the mistake of preparing for a disaster after it happens. However, they often regret not being more prepared before it happened. This is why it is so important to start early. As soon as you own the property, have a disaster preparedness plan put into place. This way, there will be no regrets when disaster strikes.
What Needs to Be Planned
Depending on what kind of property you own, there are different components to look into. If you own a property with tenants, be sure to have a list for local agencies to contact, exit plans and diagrams, a tenant check-in plan, and a separate strategy for mechanical utility, and plumbing issues. For properties with office space, consider having a maintenance checklist, fire Extinguisher locations listed, and a contractor contact list by service type. For any property, always have emergency agency telephone numbers listed for all tenants to see.
Have a Back-Up and Insurance
It’s important to always have a backup plan in case. If the power goes out, it’s important to have a backup generator or radio to contact someone for help. It’s always important to have insurance for when disaster strikes so you can replace anything that was lost to a flood, earthquake, tornado, or any other natural disaster.