Hurricane Advice for Rental Homeowners

Be proactive – once you have read the advice below, contact your guests right away.

Read your lease

This will confirm what you are legally bound to do. Our sample lease includes this language:

"Should the property be destroyed by fire or other casualty so as to become unfit for human habitation prior to occupancy by TENANT, this lease shall become null and void and all payments made hereunder shall be refunded to TENANT, who agrees to hold the LANDLORD harmless in such a case. Should the property be rendered uninhabitable by an Act of God (including but not limited to hurricanes, storms, floods, environmental disaster, loss of utilities), during tenancy, reimbursement on a per diem basis will be negotiated between the TENANT and the LANDLORD."
The LANDLORD shall have no liability to TENANT for inclement weather.

Be responsive to your guests and solicitous of their physical safety and welfare as well as their emotional concerns.

If they decide to leave your home early or not arrive:

Despite the legal dictates of your lease, make every effort to be understanding of your guest’s plight and be conciliatory. If they sense that you care and are compassionate, they will be much less apt to become confrontational and demanding.
Consider offering them either some of their rental money back or other alternatives such as an extension of their stay for a day or two (if you have it available), a weekend stay during the fall or next spring, etc.

If they opt to stay in your home during the storm:

Make it clear to them that you are making every effort to address their safety and the protection of your property.
Provide them with your contact information or, if you are not able to be in close proximity of your rental property, that of a caretaker or neighbor who is willing to assist your guests if necessary.
Make sure they realize that bridges and ferries will close when winds reach high velocity and to plan accordingly.
If you have emergency equipment such as candles, flashlights, batteries, hurricane lamps, etc., tell your guests where they are.
Give them contact information for local emergency responders, shelters, etc., and tell them to watch/listen to WCIB, WQRC, and WMVY FM for local information.