There are many rental and homeowner disasters that can happen during your tenancy. While major incidents in general are rare, there are a few things you can do to lower your chances of something going wrong. You should realize that as a renter, you may be liable for damages if something happens, even if it is not really your fault. And if you are the one suffering the loss related to one of these issues, you might not be able to obtain reimbursement for the costs you have to cover.
Here are some of the potential losses and a few things you can do to help minimize them.
Fire and smoke damage in the premises.
Some of the leading causes of home fires are cigarettes, cooking fires, unattended candles, and children playing with matches, according to this state of Oklahoma Department of Health article. Other common potential fire hazards are portable space heaters. Portable space heaters, especially as we come into the winter months, should be used carefully. Keep them away from flammable curtains, paper, and trash. And, if you use them with an extension cord, make sure it is not an old worn cord or used under a carpet or other obstacle that could catch fire. In addition, by using common sense measures like blowing out candles when you leave, not smoking cigarettes in bed or when you are tired, and keeping matches out of the reach of children, you reduce your risk of a fire accident.
It is also a good idea, and required in most states, to have smoke alarms in the house. You should test them often to make sure the batteries are in working order. You should also have a fire extinguisher under the kitchen sink and in other places where they are easy to locate and use — just in case. However, always call 911 or the fire department immediately when you sense that you cannot immediately put the fire out yourself.
Flood and water issues in the house.
Man-made floods in the house, like overflowing bathtubs, toilets, or washing machines, can cause major damage. Make sure you always keep an eye on appliances that use water and be careful about what you flush. For example, baby diapers commonly clog pipes, so they should be trashed, not flushed. Big problems can also come from leaky water values or old washing machine hoses. Make sure to change out those rubber or mesh hoses or have the landlord do it every couple of years at a minimum. If any plumbing valves look old, corroded, or will not turn, you should request that your landlord replace them so the valves will be functional in case of a water or flood issue.
Finally, if you see water spots on the ceiling drywall or under a sink, make sure to alert the landlord. These could be coming from a leak in the roof, leaky pipes, or windows that are not properly sealed. It is smart to cure small, inexpensive problems before they become big because the costs can grow significantly.
Theft of your property.
Thefts are more common in some cities, but we are all at risk if we don’t take a little precaution. According to the FBI, there were 2.2 million reported burglaries in 2009. This means that between 2% – 3% of houses are robbed each year. Statistics show that most burglaries occur on weekdays between 11am and 3pm when people are not at home, so whether you're at home or away, lock your doors, close the windows, close the garage door, don’t leave keys under your doormats, and don’t advertise that you have new expensive electronics by showcasing the boxes in your trash. Other precautions you can consider are an alarm system, a big dog, and having lights turn on and off automatically when you're out. And never enter your house if you think an unknown individual is in there — always call the police!
Dog bites or exotic animals.
An animal biting a guest or neighbor can also turn into a disaster for the owner. There are many different instances and circumstances where a dog owner can be liable for their pet, according to this Nolo.com article. You can protect yourself by watching your pet carefully when guests are over, training your dog well, and calming them when they seem agitated. Food and treats can be a big help in that matter. Also, make sure your fence is secure, especially if your dog is big or an aggressive breed. You don’t want to come home to find out that your animal has hurt another person or hurt itself because you didn’t secure the yard.
Although the risk of a tenant, or anyone for that matter, having a large financial loss due to these types of extreme circumstances is low, they can and do occur. If you have insurance in place to cover your losses, it should significantly reduce your costs. However, preventing disasters in the first place is always the best policy, so take a little precaution upfront to reduce your risk of sustaining losses that will be time consuming and stressful to resolve.
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