Are Renters Responsible for Water Damage? Monday, January 13, 2020

In return for all the rent money they pay, your tenants expect a safe place to live. In addition to performing regular maintenance, you need to be prepared to address severe issues like water damage.  

Our team at True Builders offers water damage restoration services to homes in Plant City, Lakeland, Winter Haven, and the surrounding areas.

Here, we'll explore your obligations as a landlord in terms of remediating water damage and how you can identify signs that it has occurred on your property. 

Are my renters responsible for water damage?

In most cases, renters are not responsible for water damage that occurs to your property. As a landlord, you are required to ensure that your property's plumbing is in working condition. 

Landlords are generally responsible for water damage to the building caused by:

• Leaking or bursting pipes
• Damp attics or crawl spaces
• Faulty household appliances including dishwashers and washing machines
• HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) units
• Natural disasters and other weather-related issues

In rare cases, a renter may be at fault for water damage. For example, if one of their own appliances leaks, then you can charge a renter for any water damage that results. 

Signs of Water Damage You Should Be Aware Of as a Landlord

Because your renters are not responsible for water damages in most cases, you should be aware of certain signs of water damage.

As a landlord, you likely check on your property at least a couple of times a year. You can perform these checks on a renter's move-in date, move-out date, and randomly throughout the year to ensure your property is in good condition. During these checks, you can check for the following signs of water damage:

1. Changes in your walls' surface texture can indicate water damage.

Bending or sagging of your plaster or drywall is a telltale sign of water damage. You should also be on the lookout for any cracks or bubbles that may form on these surfaces. Any changes in the texture or overall appearance of your home's walls or floors can indicate water damage. 

If you notice compromised structure in your home's floors or walls, contact us for professional water damage restoration services. 

2. Bad odors can indicate mold or mildew. 

Leaky pipes can cause mold or mildew to develop. While you may not be able to see these substances if they're behind your home's walls, you'll pick up on the bad odors they produce. Mold can be damaging to your tenants' health, so you must recruit a water damage restoration company like us to quickly address the issue.

3. Higher-than-average utility bills may indicate water damage.

This is something you can keep track of at any time throughout the year. If you've noticed higher-than-average utility bills, you may have a few leaks present in your plumbing system. These leaks could have already resulted in underlying water damage that needs to be remediated as quickly as possible.

Do you need water damage restoration services for your residential property? Call us today.

If you notice any of the above signs of water damage or if a tenant reports them to you, you shouldn't neglect them. 

If your residential property has acquired water damage, you need to recruit professional water damage restoration services. Call us today at (863) 647-1800 and we will restore the condition of your water-damaged rental property in Winter Haven, Lakeland, Plant City, or a nearby community.