Calamities may happen everywhere and at any time. Sometimes we get warnings for thunderstorms and possible earthquakes, but we won’t be able to predict the extent of a disaster. We’ve seen houses, buildings, and farmlands destroyed by one tragedy.

What happens when natural calamities DO happen, such as hurricanes? Most people will not have a choice but to evacuate their homes. I know no one wants to do that. However, we do not have a say in the matter because it concerns our safety. What happens after it? What should landlords and tenants do when facing the aftermath of a hurricane?

The topic may not affect you, but knowing about it will work to your advantage. You might be able to assist property managers when handling displaced tenants. You never know.

Wait for the signal from the authorities.

No one can tell people to go home except the proper authorities. It does not mean that if the hurricane has passed, everyone may go back. They can check the news and social media or listen to the radio. Tenants also have to consider that their landlord may have dozens of people to assist, which might make it difficult to ask for the manager’s help. They need to know what to do.

Be prepared.

Before assessing the damage to a rental, tenants or landlords must bring essentials. They should have flashlights, extra batteries, tools, portable chargers, and protective gear such as boots, gloves, and masks. Aside from that, anyone making the trip should bring food and water.

Tenants should prioritize their safety during travel because they might encounter floods, debris, and broken electrical wires. They should watch out for traffic and road signs to help them navigate. If possible, people should travel during the daytime because it is safer.

Steps to take when arriving at the rental:

If the landlord is around, the tenants should coordinate with him. Most probably, he already did an initial check on the rental and knew how to get inside it. They should avoid flooding water because it might have sharp objects and wires or be contaminated. It will be very hectic with neighbors and other people around, so they should be patient in waiting for their landlord to assist them. If they are allowed to go inside, they can.

Watch out for dangers.

The priority should be the safety of the place. Once they get inside the rental, the tenants should open all the windows and doors to let the air out. It might get suffocating, so it’s good to have ventilation. They have to wait a while before they stay inside.

The landlord should instruct the tenants that if they smell gas in the air, they should turn off the gas valves and call the fire department. If the water has entered the house, the tenants should wear waterproof boots tall enough to offer protection. They should also stay away from outlets or wires. Apart from electrical problems, they should know that there is a possibility that snakes or other wildlife may have entered their home.

Evaluate the damage to their belongings.

After assessing the damage to the physical structure and confirming it is safe, the tenants can move on to checking the state of their personal belongings. They should continue to use protective equipment because stuff may fall from drawers and cabinets. People should expect to see a lot of damage to their possessions.

Start drying, cleaning, and fixing.

The landlord may not have time to help everyone out, so the tenants can go ahead and get a head start on the cleaning. If it’s safe, they can use fans to dry out everything. They can use water pumps to suck out the standing water.

Landlords can remind the tenants to document all the damages. They can take several pictures to show the extent of the destruction. It will come in handy when filing insurance claims. And with that in mind, they should also review their insurance coverage.

Some tenants may need another place to stay while their houses are under repair. You can suggest other vacant properties to the landlords where their renters can move in temporarily. If not them, I’m sure other people will be looking for homes. You can post your property listings at Padleads and syndicate them to other websites. You are not only getting clients, but you are also helping them look for a new home.