When it comes to real estate, many factors can make or break an investment. One of the most challenging parts of owning rental property is dealing with unexpected damages, costing thousands in repairs. Even worse, if these repairs aren’t covered under your insurance policy, you could end up on the hook for the entire bill. Luckily, there are things you can do to protect yourself from unexpected damage to your rental property. By implementing the following strategies, you will be well on your way to safeguarding your real estate investment.
Get Homeowners Insurance Policy in Place
The first step in protecting your real estate is getting a homeowners insurance policy that covers unexpected damage to your property. While you can never fully prepare for the unexpected, being well-insured will give you peace of mind knowing that you won’t be left footing the bill if something goes wrong with one of your rental properties. To get the best deal on your homeowner’s insurance policy, shop around and compare quotes between multiple companies before signing on the dotted line.
Get a Home Warranty Policy for Your Rental Property
A home warranty policy covers high-ticket items that are integral parts of your rental property, including heating, plumbing, and electrical systems. Before you buy a policy, you should research the cost of a home warranty as this will vary from state to state. These types of unexpected damages can be very costly to repair on your own, which is why it’s crucial to get a handle on them before they become significant problems. Even better, you can purchase a home warranty policy for as little as $300 per year, and the best part is you only pay when you need to call in a maintenance specialist.
Get Renters Insurance Policy in Place
Another crucial step you can take is to ensure that your tenants are also protected. While the damage caused by the tenant won’t be covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy, most renters insurance policies will cover claims filed by renters if the damage was caused by an event such as a fire, burglary, or vandalism. A renters insurance policy can also protect you from liability claims filed against you by your tenants, providing peace of mind during those late-night calls about broken faucets and sudden leaks.
To get the most out of your renter’s insurance policy, try to find a company that can offer you competitive rates and flexible coverage on your renter’s insurance policy. In addition to covering damage to your property, you should also look for a renters insurance policy to protect personal belongings lost in a fire or if something is stolen from your rental property. By ensuring all bases are covered, you can rest easy, knowing that your rental property is protected from the unexpected.
Make Necessary Repairs
After you’ve purchased your insurance policy, the next step is to make sure that anything broken or damaged on your rental property is fixed as soon as possible. Your insurance agent can give you an idea of which problems are covered under your policy and which ones aren’t. Once you know what’s covered, it will be easier to prioritize your repairs in a way that will keep your insurance costs manageable in the long run.
In addition to repairing problems that could cause damage to your property, it’s a good idea to work on preventative measures that will protect your property from additional damage. For example, clearing debris from roofs and gutters can help prevent water damage from occurring during rainstorms. Maintaining your heating unit can ensure that you don’t have any costly breakdowns during the winter.
Hire a Property Management Company
Last but not least, the best way to protect your rental property from unexpected damage is to hire a reputable property management company. If you’re busy with work or school, it can be challenging to keep up with all of the day-to-day tasks that come along with being a landlord.
Instead of attempting to manage your properties on your own, hire a property management company that will handle tasks such as tenant screening, rent collection, maintenance requests, and more.
A professional property management company will provide you with peace of mind knowing that your rental properties are being correctly managed daily while also helping you avoid lawsuits from disgruntled tenants by collecting security deposits on time.
Even if your rental property doesn’t currently require repairs, it’s never too early to start preparing for the unexpected. Being proactive and taking the necessary steps can help you avoid a future headache if something goes wrong with your investment.
It would help if you considered taking three crucial tips to avoid making unnecessary repairs to your rental property. By getting the proper insurance, hiring a reputable property management company, and making necessary repairs as soon as possible, you’ll be able to keep your tenants happy without having to worry about unnecessary extra costs due to damages.