One area to address for safety in your home is structural hazards.  Structural hazards are risks to your home that involve the building structure itself, like the roof, foundation, windows and chimneys. As a renter, you are not responsible for these repairs, however, it is helpful to know what hazards are present so you can be informed and prepared.  

 

Action:  Check out your rental property 

• Check for signs of damage. Here are a few things to look for:

  • Walk around the exterior of your building and look for damage or cracks in the foundation or walls

  • Inside your home look for cracks in the basement, walls or ceiling, notice any soft spots in the floor.

  • Open and close all doors and windows - they should not be jammed or difficult to move.

  • Check the roof for damage and note any water leaks inside your home.  Look for mold or mildew which could appear as black spots, a green furry substance or white threads on the walls, ceiling, basement or attic.  Note any strong odors.

  • If you find anything that you think may indicate a structural hazard, contact your landlord and ask them to assess and repair any issues.

• Ask before you rent:  If you are considering renting a property, before you rent you can ask the following questions:

  • Has this property ever been damaged by a natural disaster? (hurricane, tornado, wildfire, earthquake, severe freeze or storm, flood, landslide, tsunami, etc.)

  • If this property was damaged in the past, when and to what extent was the damage? How was it repaired? (e.g. was it just repainted, or were flooring/walls/roofing replaced? Was it treated for mold damage?)

  • When was the last time the home was checked for structural or safety issues (like electrical hazards)?

  • When was the last time the roof and interior and exterior walls were checked for mold or rot?

  • If you are already renting, you can ask your current landlord these questions as well.  Let them know you are participating in a local effort to become prepared for disasters and asking these questions are part of the preparation process. 

Non-structural hazards include anything that isn’t part of the building itself that might be at risk or could cause damage. This includes larger items like bookcases, TVs, and appliances, and also smaller or more movable items like framed pictures, dishware, and other breakables. No one wants their grandparents’ china plates crashing down in a storm!  Also, doing regular maintenance like clearing gutters can save you and your landlord a lot of money and hassle in the long run!

 

Action:  Identify and address non-structural hazards:

• Check and make sure the following items are secured):

  • Larger furniture:  Anchor tall, top-heavy freestanding furniture like bookcases and china cabinets to wall studs to keep them from falling over.

  • Cabinets: Install strong latches or bolts on cabinets and put large or heavy items like glass, china or bottled foods on bottom shelves, closest to the floor.

  • Hanging items:  Don’t hang anything heavy like pictures or mirrors near beds, couches or anywhere people sleep or sit.

• Check with your landlord on the following easy actions:

  • Lighting:  anchor overhead lighting fixtures to joists.

  • Heating units:  Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances to wall studs. Have a professional install flexible fittings to avoid gas or water leaks. 

  • Trees: Clear all dead or dying trees, which will reduce the risk of damage from trees or limbs falling on your home during a storm.

• Check with your landlord on the following maintenance items:

  • Clear gutters and drains every fall and during the storm season as needed

  • Take measures to protect pipes from freezing (see the How to Turn off your Utilities action for more information).

  • Check for roof damage and water leaks and do repairs as needed to protect your roof and prevent water damage.

  • In wildfire regions, create and maintain a 30-foot perimeter around your home that’s free of debris and any flammable material such as dead trees or brush.

Check with your landlord on their plan to take care of these maintenance actions.  If these are things that are safe for you to do or help with and you feel comfortable doing so, you can offer to help - maybe for a discount on the rent!

Renters’ insurance is a smart investment regardless of natural disaster risk, as it usually covers things like personal property damage, living expenses if your home is temporarily uninhabitable, and medical costs if you’re injured on the property. Coverage is generally included for specific hazards such as damage from smoke, fire, lightning, leaking or freezing pipes, theft/vandalism, wind, snow, and hail.  However, rental insurance almost never covers damage from floods or earthquakes, so if you live in an area where this is a risk, consider purchasing additional insurance. 

 

Action: Check your coverage, add insurance as needed and document:

• Check your coverage:  Contact your insurance agent to verify what is covered and ask about what additional policies you may need. It’s completely normal to have questions on your policy, so don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions!

• Check for affordable insurance for high risk areas:  renters insurance is more expensive the higher the risk, so if you live in an area with high risk for wildfires or hurricanes, renters insurance for these disasters will likely be more expensive. If you have trouble finding affordable insurance, investigate your state’s Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan, which is a state-mandated, often privately-subsidized insurance program for high-risk locations. Do an internet search for “FAIR plan insurance” + the name of your state to find a website with more information for your state program.

• Consider Flood Insurance if your home is at risk for flooding: most renters' insurance policies do not cover flooding, even if the flood was caused by a natural disaster that is covered by your plan, like a hurricane or tornado. Talk to your insurance agent about what if anything related to flood damage is covered, and consider adding flood insurance if needed for your area.

  • The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has set up a program to supply flood insurance for people who can’t get or afford flood insurance through a private agency, called the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Visit floodsmart.gov to find companies offering flood insurance in your state.

• Document your stuff!  Finally, document all your valuable possessions with photos and receipts if you have them so you can be compensated if they are damaged - this will give you financial security and peace of mind.  A quick video walkthrough of your home is an easy way to document less valuable items for insurance purposes.  It is also recommended to back-up your documentation on a flash drive or the cloud (See the Step #2 - Make a Kit action to learn more).  Remember to check at least once a year to add anything new to your documentation.

Money-saving tip! You may qualify for discounts on your renters’ insurance if you buy from the same company you get other insurance, like car insurance, or if you or your landlord makes mitigation improvements to the property, such as installing smoke detectors.