Responsibilities of a Commercial Tenant During a Rental Flood

6/25/2021 (Permalink)

Flood damage in a Jasper, GA warehouse.

Responsibilities of a Commercial Tenant During a Rental Flood

When a flood hits your rented business property in Jasper, GA, you may be wondering who is liable for the damage. It may depend on the circumstances of local law and lease agreements, but it’s often like a residential lease. Knowing what coverage is offered to a tenant by renting and what’s covered by renter’s insurance teaches you your legal responsibilities if a flood happens.

Lease, Law, and Understanding

In a traditional lease, the process of addressing damage is often by a standard procedure:

• A tenant pays lower amounts to occupy a property while the owner handles any damages to the property that is explicitly not the tenant’s fault.
  
• If there is an unsafe condition or damaged part of the property caused by a flood or other event, the tenant has an obligation to write the landlord about it.
  
• The landlord has an obligation to repair any reported problems in a timely manner.
  
  

Depending on state law and the language of a commercial lease, all repairs may fall on the tenant. It is advised to consult the original lease to see any specified conditionals on flooding and other damage. Some states have laws or court rulings that establish the landlord’s responsibility regardless.

For Everything Not Covered, There’s Other Coverage

The landlord has no obligation to cover property inside the building. It is up to the commercial property’s occupant to obtain renter’s insurance to protect assets inside. As a standard, this insurance coverage offers protection against unintentional damage alongside vandalism and theft. Sometimes, flood damage is not included and offered as an additional service, but it is advised in regions prone to flooding.

Restoring the Building Once Coverage Is Figured Out

Renter’s insurance is used to restore and replace damaged business assets or the building. Restoration is typically accomplished by using a commercial damage restoration company. Working out the coverage with the property owner will speed the damage restoration process up to get your business’ location restored and functional quickly.