Skip to Content

When Disaster Strikes in Bryan-College Station: Owner vs Renter Liability Responsibilities

A Resident’s Car Has Been Damaged by a Natural Disaster in Bryan-College Station

Major storms and natural disasters can cause extensive property damage. As an owner of a rental property in Bryan-College Station, it is essential that you know your responsibilities if your resident’s property is damaged or destroyed.

Some property owners assume that because it is their property, they are responsible for the repairs and costs of everything that was damaged during a natural disaster. However, both renters and rental property owners have liabilities when dealing with damaged properties. Knowing which liabilities fall into whose hands is essential when recovering from a natural disaster.

For example, who is responsible if a tree on a rental property falls during a storm and damages a resident’s car? Neither the resident or the property owner is responsible. Instead, the cost of repairs falls on the resident’s auto or renter’s insurance.

What about other types of damage caused by a natural disaster like a flood, tornado, or wildfire? If a natural disaster damages a rental property, it is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that the home is habitable for the resident and, if it is not, shoulder the cost needed to restore it.

However, the resident’s personal property, including vehicles, and the costs of evacuation like transportation, alternative lodging, and food are all the resident’s responsibility. If the property is restored to a habitable state quickly, the resident may still be responsible for the duration of the lease and should have renter’s insurance to cover temporary alternative housing.

At Real Property Management Apex, we help rental property owners like you know what your responsibilities are in the event of a natural disaster or another weather-related incident. No matter the damages that nature causes, our quality property management services will help ease your anxiety about liability and ensure that your residents are shouldering their fair share of responsibility. Contact us online or give us a call at 254-732-1599 to find out more and learn what we can do for you.

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.

The Neighborly Done Right Promise

The Neighborly Done Right Promise ® delivered by Real Property Management, a proud Neighborly company

When it comes to finding the right property manager for your investment property, you want to know that they stand behind their work and get the job done right – the first time. At Real Property Management we have the expertise, technology, and systems to manage your property the right way. We work hard to optimize your return on investment while preserving your asset and giving you peace of mind. Our highly trained and skilled team works hard so you can be sure your property's management will be Done Right.

Canada excluded. Services performed by independently owned and operated franchises.

See Full Details