Hurricane season can be a stressful time for property owners, especially those with rental properties in coastal areas. Ensuring your rental is prepared for potential storms is crucial for protecting your investment and ensuring the safety of your tenants. Here are some essential steps to take when preparing your rental property for hurricane season:

1. Check Your Insurance Coverage

One of the first steps in preparing your rental property for hurricane season is to check your insurance coverage. Contact your insurance agent to review your current policy and ensure it covers hurricane-related damage. Standard homeowners’ insurance policies often do not cover flood damage, which is common during hurricanes. You may need to purchase separate flood insurance to ensure comprehensive protection.

Key Points to Discuss with Your Insurance Agent:

• Hurricane Deductibles: Some policies have separate deductibles for hurricane-related claims.
• Flood Insurance: Determine if your property is in a flood zone and if flood insurance is necessary.
• Additional Coverage: Consider additional coverage for wind damage, personal property, and loss of rental income.

2. Keep Tree Limbs Trimmed Away from the Home and have large trees inspected by a certified arborist.

Overgrown tree limbs can cause significant damage during a hurricane. High winds can break branches, causing them to crash into your property, which can result in roof damage, broken windows, and other structural issues.

Steps to Take:

• Regular Trimming: Schedule regular tree maintenance to keep branches trimmed away from the property.
• Professional Assessment: Hire a professional arborist to assess the health of the trees and remove any dead or weak branches.
• Preventive Measures: Consider removing trees that pose a significant risk to your property.

3. Have Your Roof Inspected Annually

A strong, well-maintained roof is essential for protecting your rental property during a hurricane. Annual roof inspections can identify potential issues and allow you to address them before storm season begins.

What to Look For:

• Loose or Missing Shingles: Ensure all shingles are securely in place and replace any that are damaged.
• Leaks and Water Damage: Check for signs of leaks or water damage inside the property, particularly in the attic.
• Gutter Maintenance: Clear gutters and downspouts of debris to ensure proper drainage during heavy rains.

4. Create an Emergency Plan: Develop an emergency plan with your tenants, including evacuation routes, plans for pets and emergency contacts.

Once a storm is on the way:

Communicate with Your Tenants.

Keeping an open line of communication with your tenants is crucial during hurricane season. Inform them of the steps you are taking to prepare the property and provide them with information on how they can protect themselves and their belongings. Ensure they know how to contact you in case of an emergency. Include reminders like the following:

• Secure Outdoor Items: Remove or secure outdoor furniture, decorations, and other items that could become projectiles.
• Remove water hoses and secure inside: water hoses can act like a whip in high winds and damage the property and/or people.
• Storm shutters: if your property has storm shutters, notify your tenants that they can be put up or communicate with them regarding their plan to evacuate if you would like to put them up. Storm shutters may not be installed on occupied properties as they become a fire hazard.
• Generators: remind tenants to NEVER use a generator in the house or closed garage… this poses a significant carbon monoxide risk.
• Stock Emergency Supplies: Encourage tenants to create an emergency kit that includes essentials such as flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies and food and water for 3 days.
• Monitor https://www.scemd.org/: you will find the most up-to-date information regarding evacuations and closing as well as shelter locations.

After the storm has passed. Contact your tenants directly to see if there is any damage to report and assess their overall well-being. If they have evacuated and not yet returned, visit the property as soon as possible to assess any damages.