{"id":4634,"date":"2016-05-31T16:22:47","date_gmt":"2016-05-31T23:22:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/?p=4634"},"modified":"2019-07-11T10:30:52","modified_gmt":"2019-07-11T17:30:52","slug":"break-in-at-your-rental","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/break-in-at-your-rental\/","title":{"rendered":"HELP! There’s Been a Break-In at My Rental Property"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"RentalWhat happens when one of your tenants gets robbed and the burglar damages the property and steals all your renters’ stuff?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After a break-in, your tenants may approach you with a few questions and these tips will help you figure out how to best manage a robbery at your rental property.<\/p>\n

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  1. Will you replace my stolen or damaged belongings?<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. When will you repair the damaged property? <\/span><\/li>\n
  3. What are you going to do to help me feel safer?<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Can I break my lease and move out?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Rental Property Break-In Question #1 :<\/h2>\n

    Will you replace my stolen or damaged belongings?<\/h2>\n

    Answer: Probably not.<\/span><\/p>\n

    In most cases, it is up to the tenant\u2019s insurance to pay for replacement costs of stolen or damaged belongings. Renters Insurance is a relatively low-cost protection that will cover the cost of stolen or damaged tenant property. \u00a0A smart landlord will require in the lease agreement that tenants retain renters insurance; beyond the added value of dealing with stolen items, here are 9 other reasons <\/span>your tenants need renters insurance<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Additionally, your lease agreement should include language about what happens when it comes to a property break-in. \u00a0If a tenant approaches you asking for you to replace stolen or damaged belongings, you can easily point to the lease to explain your answer.<\/p>\n

    However, there are some situations where a landlord may be found liable for the break-in and required to cover the cost of replacing a tenant’s items. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Findlaw.com gives the following example of landlord liability<\/span><\/a>: “<\/span>If a landlord didn’t act with due care — in maintaining common areas, or in taking proactive security measures that a reasonable landlord would take (like making sure all locks are working) — then a tenant may be able to argue that the landlord should have to pay for the burglary.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    Rental Property Break-In Question #2 : <\/span><\/h2>\n

    When will you repair the damaged property? <\/span><\/h2>\n

    Answer: ASAP<\/span><\/p>\n

    If a break-in resulted in broken windows or damaged property, the property owner should expedite repairs to help the tenant feel safe again. \u00a0You should work with the police and your insurance company to report the issue and repair any damaged windows, doors, entrances and locks immediately.<\/p>\n

    If additional property damage occurred, communicate with your tenant the timeline for taking care of necessary repairs to bring the property back to its original condition. Depending on who is found to be at fault, your specific insurance policy, and your lease agreement will determine who is resp<\/span>onsible for covering the cost of property damage.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    1. The lease.<\/strong> Specific language in your lease agreement may detail how property break-ins are managed and who is responsible for damages, either the owner or the tenant.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. The insurance.<\/strong> A landlord’s insurance policy may cover the cost of property damage as the result of a break-in. However, if the break-in was found to be the landlord’s or tenant’s fault, insurance may not cover damages.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. The landlord.<\/strong> If the landlord\u2019s partial fault was proved (the lock wasn\u2019t locked, the door wasn\u2019t fixed, etc), the landlord will possibly have to cover the damages.<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. The tenant.<\/strong> If the tenant fails to notify the landlord about what happened, or fails to provide a timely police, \u00a0they may have to pay for damages that their landlord was never aware of. \u00a0A tenant may also be liable if property damage during a break was found to his fault, from leaving a door open or loosing a spare key without notifying the landlord.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Rental Property Break-In Question #3 : <\/span><\/h2>\n

      What are you doing to help me feel safer? <\/span><\/h2>\n

      Answer: Adding more security features<\/span><\/p>\n

      Having your home broken into can be an emotional experience for your renters. They may feel unsafe, violated and scared about the security their home should provide. Without needing to point blame at who caused a robbery, you will benefit from empathizing with your renters’ concerns.<\/p>\n

      Ask yourself if you have taken the steps to ensure a secure property and safe community for your residents. Besides the obvious of working locks on windows and doors, consider these additional security features<\/p>\n