4 Steps To Take After an Apartment Fire

8/13/2019 (Permalink)

Fire damage in Wildwood, MO

According to the National Fire Prevention Association, there are about 100,000 rental property fires every year. The costs related to property damage are naturally very high. Although property owners have many other concerns that fill their day-to-day calendars, fire safety should be a top priority. In addition to implementing fire safety policies, it's important that property owners understand their responsibilities in response to an apartment fire.

Contact Your Insurance Company

One of the best reasons to call your agent immediately is the ability to avoid interfering with your claim. If you enter the property and add to the fire damage, you could negatively impact the status of your claim. Your insurance agent may provide recommendations for your next steps.


Gather Facts and Details


The fire department and your insurance company will ask for information about how the fire started. Talk to tenants about their activities prior to the fire. The information you gather may help to determine whether the fire was started by an unattended fire or a problem with electrical wiring. The fire department will also conduct an investigation.


Help Renters Find Temporary Housing


If the apartment fire has made the building uninhabitable, your renters will need a temporary place to stay until fire damage restoration professionals have the chance to clean up and repair the building. There should be at least a few Wildwood, MO, organizations to help you find a place for your renters to stay. If the fire was not the result of negligence or fire code violations, your insurance coverage may pay the relocation costs. Remind renters to contact their insurance providers, as well.


Contact Fire Restoration Professionals


In addition to losing out on revenue while your property sits vacant, fire damages increase as they sit. Professionals take immediate steps to mitigate further harm. The sooner technicians can get to your property, the sooner you can move renters back in.

Rental property fires are some of the most common types of losses that affect property owners. Knowing how to respond when an apartment fire breaks out helps you avoid further damages.