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Fire damage is a real risk to rental homes. Find out your responsibilities as a landlord in the event of fire and 9 tips to minimize risk of rental home fires

Reducing Fire Risks: 9 Tips for Landlords to Safeguard Rental Properties

From raging wildfires to kitchen mishaps, fires are a real risk for all rental homes. If disaster strikes, where does that leave you as the homeowner?

All landlords need to ensure their rental home is in a liveable condition. After a fire, that could mean arranging for urgent repairs or ending the lease.

It's hard to prevent house fires, but you can reduce your risk by knowing how to handle the situation. In this article, we will answer common questions on fire damage in rental homes and provide vital fire safety tips for landlords:

What happens to a lease if a rental home is damaged by fire?

Does landlords insurance cover damage from fire?

Do I need to pay relocation costs for tenants if my rental property is damaged by fire?

9 tips for reducing fire risks in a rental home

Disclaimer: We don’t enjoy using the word ‘landlord’. We refer to members in our network as homeowners and residents, not landlords and tenants, since we’re on a mission to upend and redefine the traditional landlord-tenant relationship. That said, this article is for people who are looking for answers with more common industry terms like ‘landlords’ and ‘tenants’, so in some instances we have had to stick to the old moniker for owners of rental homes. This article provides a guide for homeowners, but should not replace legal advice. Fires create emotional and unique situations, so speak to a professional about your exact situation in the event of a fire.

After a fire, landlord responsibilities vary depending on the extent of the damage. Common issues include:

The nature of the damage also impacts your lease. Here is an overview of three common scenarios:

If you own a rental home that has minor damage from a fire:

Minor damage would be something that could be repaired reasonably quickly (1-3 months) and has not destroyed a significant amount of the property. 

Residents will still owe rent and either remain in place or move out temporarily while repairs are completed

You will need to arrange for repairs urgently

Depending on the situation, you may need to negotiate a rent pause or reduction while repairs are carried out

If the home becomes uninhabitable, residents may take steps to end the lease

If you own a rental home that has been partially damaged from a fire:

Partial damage from fire is not total destruction of the home, but would likely leave parts of the home not fit for use until repairs have been completed. Partial damage generally applies to damage that would take six months or less to remedy. 

Either party can end the lease with notice if the home is not in a habitable condition, even partially

Residents may opt to end the lease or request to move back in when the home has been restored to a livable condition

Rent will not be due from the time the home was deemed uninhabitable, until repairs have been completed

You will not owe any relocation costs for residents regardless of which option they choose

If you own a rental home that has been destroyed by fire:

Severe property damage or total loss of the home will end a lease immediately as the home will no longer be fit for use as a rental.

In the event of total destruction or unsafe structural conditions, the lease will be terminated

You will have approximately 21 days to return the security deposit and any rent that has been paid to you in advance

Check with your insurer about compensation for loss of both property and rental income

Homeowners rely on insurance to cover losses on their homes. Homeowners insurance only covers owner-occupied homes, so you will need dedicated landlords insurance for any rented home.

Particularly if your house is on the West Coast where fires are a real and present danger, it’s important to take out a policy that has the right coverage for both accidental fires and wildfire damage.

Depending on the policy you have, most landlords' insurance can provide compensation for:

Replacement of damaged belongings (yours, not the resident)

It’s important to note that coverage generally applies to losses from accidental damage, such as a natural disaster. If it’s found that the fire was lit by you or the resident, or if you failed to maintain the home’s wiring and a fault caused the fire — restrictions and exclusions may apply. If you are at fault due to negligence, the insurance policy may still protect you from medical costs and legal fees if you are sued.

Residents need to have their own coverage to protect their belongings. This is why Belong insists that everyone in our network has insurance coverage for peace of mind and financial security.

This question often comes up after a fire because the residents will usually need to move out after a fire.

Most state laws, including Washington and California, stipulate that landlords are not required to pay relocation costs if their home is damaged by:

This means if your rental home is damaged by a wildfire, criminal arson, or the resident accidentally sets the kitchen alight — you won’t need to front up costs to move the resident out while repairs are made.

Landlord negligence is another factor. Say for example your residents notified you of faulty wiring and you didn't have it fixed. If it sparks a fire, you could be liable. In a scenario like this, seek advice from a lawyer immediately. The resident may pursue legal action to recover damages and relocation costs.

It's also worth noting that some lease agreements have specific clauses on relocation costs, so check the fine print. If your lease agreement includes relocation or accommodation for natural disasters, residents will be able to ask you to cover these costs.

What smart home technology attracts renters? Discover what tech renters want most and five options to get the most bang for buck in your rental home pricing.

What Smart Home Tech Do Renters Want Most in 2023?

Renters appreciate smart home technology in their living spaces as much as homeowners. What was once seen as an optional luxury has fast become something we interact with daily, making our homes more comfortable or efficient. This has made the technology more accessible for everyone, including people who live in rental homes. 

A 2022 survey from Rent.com found that 82% of renters want at least one smart device or system in their home. Expectations aren't wild either — 41% say 1-2 devices would be their preference.

Of course, as the homeowner there are pros and cons to investing in smart home tech. You don’t want to be forking out for products and installation unless you can be certain that 

a) it will offer a return on your investment and 

b) that it won’t cause more trouble than it’s worth! 

Let’s look at the pros and cons of tech in rental homes. Then we'll dive into five options that attract renters to help your home achieve strong interest and long-term love on the rental market.

What are the benefits of smart home technology in rentals?

What are the drawbacks of smart home technology in rentals?

What smart home products do renters want most?

1. Smart home devices can provide energy and cost savings for your residents 

The biggest drawcard for residents is smart home features that will save them money in the long run. Technology such as smart thermostats and automated lighting systems can save energy and reduce utility bills for residents. Offering lower running costs is a good incentive for spending a little more on rent, knowing there will be savings on the cost of living. 

2. Smart home devices can improve security on your rental house

Improving the security of your rental home can be hugely beneficial to both you and your residents. For starters, landlords have a legal duty to provide a safe and habitable home for their tenants, which includes taking reasonable steps to minimize the risk of crime taking place on their property. Investing in smart devices that can reduce crime will not only make your residents feel safer, it could also reduce your liability for criminal activity and even lower your insurance premiums. 

3. Remote monitoring lets you take quick action to protect your rental home

There are now smart home products on the market that can alert homeowners to problems before they become emergencies, for example:

Smart smoke alarms that detect carbon monoxide levels, allowing you to evacuate residents if levels are dangerous

Water sensors that alert of leaks to avoid flooding and excessive damage to your home

Doorbells with video and/or motion sensor cameras can notify of any unauthorized access to the property when it's vacant. If you do notice suspicious activity on your property, you can alert the police. 

1. Investing in smart home devices may not be worth the upfront investment

If technology won’t increase the perceived value of your home, you won’t be able to pass on any costs in your rent. The more you spend, the more it will eat into your rental home cash flow, so it’s important to consider what people really want/need before spending money. 

2. Not all smart home technology will be compatible with your resident’s devices

Like any technology, you get what you pay for. You might find a great bargain on Amazon, but if that budget knockoff from China isn’t compatible with the devices your residents use, it won’t add any value to your rental home. A frustrating user experience won’t do anything to endear people to staying in your home. 

3. Connected rental homes can create privacy concerns for residents

It’s important not to install filming devices within a rental home that you can view residents on, as this is a violation of their privacy and quiet enjoyment of the home. There’s also the possibility of having a connected device hacked — providing unauthorized access to your rental home. Do your research on how secure technology is before investing in any devices. 

Read more: The Dos and Don’ts of Home Security in a Rental Property

4. Network outages could lead to distressed phone calls

Smart home technology relies on stable internet connections and regular software updates. Network outages or device malfunctions have the potential to cause chaos if your residents can’t control them until the issues are resolved. The last thing you want to do is add ‘tech support’ to your long list of jobs as a rental homeowner, especially if you’re also managing the property yourself. This is another reason not to invest in products that are too cheap/unreliable and to make sure essentials such as locks can also be accessed manually. 

What smart home products are the best investment for a rental home?

So when it comes to smart home technology, what is or isn’t worth investing in for a rental home? Here are five smart home products that make the most sense for rental homes.

When it comes to tech that renters want, smart thermostats top the list. The rent.com survey showed that if renters could choose one smart home device, a thermostat would be it. Smart thermostats have the potential to save energy and utility costs for residents and are fairly inexpensive as far as devices go. 

Some new thermostats such as the Google Nest also offer HVAC monitoring, alerting homeowners when filters need changing or there’s a repair issue to address.  

2. Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

This might not be high on the most-wanted list, but smoke detectors are legally required for all homes. Upgrading to a smart smoke detector in your rental gives you the benefit of being able to receive alerts during emergency situations and monitor carbon monoxide levels. It’s important to remember that your home won’t always be occupied, so being able to know of fire danger when the home is vacant could save you thousands of dollars in damages. 

Video doorbells can be a great entry point for security cameras, without the privacy concerns or expense of monitoring an entire home. You can allow residents to control them when your home is occupied and take over to monitor the home when it’s vacant. They can be a good security option to monitor for parcel theft or unauthorized access via the front door. 

Renters who need a place to both live and work will pay a premium for great work zones and it will avoid disgruntled WFH’ers leaving due to poor coverage and connectivity. 

While not a ‘smart home device’ per say, don’t overlook the importance of having spaces that can be connected easily for modern professionals who work from home. This could be as simple as ensuring there are enough outlets for laptops, to buying a wifi extender such as Amazon’s eero or Google’s Mesh wifi. 

What you need to know about homeowners vs landlords insurance (and why you need both!)

Homeowners Insurance vs. Landlord Insurance: What Policy Do You Need?

Did you know that homeowners insurance only offers protection for owner-occupied properties? That means if you move out and put your home on the rental market, you could find yourself no longer covered and liable for expensive costs should anything happen to the property. 

It’s a common misconception that homeowners insurance is enough to cover all homeowners. After all, we ourselves prefer to refer to our landlords as ‘homeowners’ because that’s what you are. However, for the purpose of this article we need to make an important distinction between owner-occupied homes and landlords with tenant-occupied homes. 

Let’s take a look at what homeowners insurance and landlords insurance provides — and how Belong can simplify the whole process. 

What’s the difference between homeowners insurance and landlords insurance? 

While both insurance products are designed for homeowners and policy coverage will vary based on the provider you choose, there is a clear distinction. ‘Homeowners Insurance’ offers coverage for owner-occupied residential property while ‘Landlords Insurance’ offers coverage for tenant-occupied residential property. 

The main reason for this difference in coverage is that homeowners require insurance for their physical property, whereas landlords also need coverage for liability and damages that could arise from their residents in place. 

If you are a homeowner and have a secondary home on the rental market, you will need both types of insurance — one for your home residence and the other for your rental home. 

What does landlords insurance include that homeowners insurance doesn’t?

Like homeowners insurance, landlords insurance will protect the main structure of your home from disaster such as fire or storm. Depending on policy, you may be required to pay an additional fee for optional extras such as flood coverage or earthquake damage. Homeowners insurance usually includes contents insurance too, covering all your personal belongings within the home. 

For landlords insurance, unless you have a furnished rental, you won’t need to cover the contents as they don’t belong to you. The other key difference with a landlord policy is the liability coverage offered. For example, if a tenant is injured while living in your home (like tripping over a crack in the driveway or scalding themselves on a faulty hot water system), you could be responsible for their medical costs and will want to be insured for any liability. 

Accidents happen and even good residents can cause accidental damage to homes. Landlords policies will cover damage to your home as a result of the resident and some will also cover for loss of rent if the property becomes unlivable, helping to insulate your cash flow against this risk. 

Why does Belong insist on landlords insurance?

Everything Belong does is designed to act in the best interest of our community members — both homeowners and residents. 

When you join the Belong network as a homeowner, you’ll be required to have a landlords insurance policy, either through our network or a provider of your choice. This ensures you are protected as a homeowner and that property damage can be taken care of to keep a roof over the head of your resident. 

For additional peace of mind, we have the same requirement for your residents, with renters insurance a requirement of all tenants we place. 

How does Belong simplify landlords insurance for homeowners?

Finding the right policy can be a cumbersome process. Not all insurance companies offer both homeowners and landlords insurance policies. Those that do might insist that you hold both with them, even if their products aren’t the best fit. Let’s not even get started on navigating those awful websites and still needing to spend ages on the phone relaying a million pieces of information to sign up. 

Like all outdated processes that are broken within the rental and property management industry, Belong is taking this on to simplify how homeowners get insurance to protect their rental home. 

When you join Belong and have your home loved by us, you have the option to purchase a dedicated landlord insurance policy that protects your home, meets our requirements — and could save you time and money. We can have you signed up and fully covered in an instant, it’s all done within your Belong account. You can either pay the premium upfront, or have the option to split the payments into 12 installments. You’ll receive your monthly guaranteed rent, minus the repayment — so you won’t need to think about it again or set aside money for it in your household budget. 

Ready to let someone else take on the load of managing your rental home?

Simplifying protection of your asset is just one of the many ways Belong is making it easier than ever for individuals to achieve financial freedom with a rental home. 

To see if your home is eligible and learn about how Belong is helping more people have a successful rental property without lifting a finger, check out our dedicated homeowners page.

Do you need homeowners or landlords insurance? What's the difference? If you own a rental home, here's what you need to know about insurance (you need both!)

6 common questions on landlord responsibility in San Diego including disclosures on rental homes, duties to tenants and what you're liable for as a landlord.

What San Diego Landlords Need To Know About Legal Liabilities

You probably know that landlords in San Diego have a duty of care to provide a safe and habitable home for their tenants to live in. But how far do these responsibilities go? Are you liable for what happens in the home while tenants are living there? What disclosures do you need to make about your home before it goes on the rental market in San Diego? 

While often falling under the broader laws in the State of California, there are also local ordinances unique to the City of San Diego that homeowners on the rental market need to be aware of. As a popular tourist destination, San Diego has new laws to curb vacation rentals, but this article will focus on long-term rentals.  

To help you prepare for responsibilities, liabilities and disclosures on a rental home, this article will answer 6 common questions on landlord responsibility in San Diego: 

What are my responsibilities as a landlord in San Diego?

What disclosures do I need to make about a rental home in San Diego?

What are landlords in San Diego liable for in their rental home?

Are landlords in San Diego responsible for noise complaints?

What are the reasons I can evict a tenant in San Diego?

Disclaimer: We don’t enjoy using the word ‘landlord’. We prefer to refer to members in our network as homeowners and residents, not landlords and tenants, since we’re on a mission to upend and redefine the traditional landlord-tenant relationship. That said, sometimes the words tenant and landlord need to be used to provide clarity on legislation or legal matters — so in this article we use them interchangeably.  This article provides a guide for homeowners of residential property for rent in San Diego, but should not replace legal advice. Renting a home can create unique situations, so be sure to consult a property expert or lawyer to discuss or remedy an exact situation. 

1. What are my responsibilities as a landlord in San Diego?

Renters in San Diego have legal rights in homes they live in under local and Californian state law. As the homeowner and landlord, you have a responsibility to make sure that these legal rights are met.

In San Diego, it is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure that: 

You follow local tenant-landlord laws including local laws on rent increase caps and evictions

The home you rent out is maintained and kept in a livable condition, ensuring the health and safety of the residents 

You don’t enter the property without proper written notice, unless in an emergency situation or if the property has been abandoned

You return the security deposit when residents move out, unless you have a legal claim against the amount such as unpaid rent or damages

You don’t force the resident out unlawfully by turning off the utilities or changing the locks

You treat your tenant “fairly and in good faith”, which means acting with honesty and taking reasonable steps to comply with local laws and your lease agreement

Your home must be in a livable condition under California’s “implied warranty of habitability”. This means that you are legally responsible for keeping the home in such a way that it’s safe for humans to live in, addressing any defects that make it unsafe or unlivable. This means it’s a landlord’s responsibility to provide a home that has:

Suitable protection from weather, including unbroken doors and windows

Hot and cold running water and sewage disposal

Provision of electricity (in good working order)

Bathroom facilities in working order such as toilet and shower

Working smoke detectors that are up to local codes

It’s the tenant’s responsibility to ensure that they also keep the house in good condition and don’t cause any damage that could create an uninhabitable home. 

2. What disclosures do I need to make about a rental home in San Diego?

When renting out your home in San Diego, you must make the following disclosures either in your lease agreement or prior to signing:

1. Toxic mold: If your home has mold present, you should take steps to remove and repair the issue. You also need to disclose any mold to potential residents and provide them with a state-issued handbook on the health risks of mold. 

2. Pest control and bed bugs: If you have regularly hired pest control services and they have used (or will be using) chemical pesticides in the home, you must disclose this information to residents. Provide a notice from the pest control company on the pest controlled (or to be controlled), the pesticides used/proposed and the active ingredients. You must also inform prospective residents on how to prevent and treat bed bugs. 

3. Intent to demolish the unit: If you have applied for a permit to demolish the housing unit, you will need to disclose this to potential residents before accepting any fees (including tenant screening). 

4. No smoking policy: If you have a no smoking policy, this must be disclosed in the lease agreement, including details of where smoking is limited or prohibited. 

5. Flood risk: If your property is in a flood zone or in an area that carries a known flood risk, you must disclose this information to potential residents. This includes if you carry flood insurance required by your mortgage lender, along with a statement that this insurance will not cover any loss to their property. Residents need specific renter’s insurance to protect their property from flood or other loss, which Belong makes available to all residents in our network. 

6. Methamphetamine contamination: If your home is subject to a remediation order for methamphetamine contamination, you must provide written notice and a copy of the order to all rental applicants of your property. It must also be acknowledged by the tenant and attached to a rental agreement before signing, otherwise the agreement may be void. 

7. Death on the premises: If any occupant died on the property within the last three years, you must disclose this fact to prospective residents. 

8. Carcinogenic or hazardous material: The State of California recognizes that exposure to certain chemicals, such as lead, arsenic, asbestos and benzene could cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. If you have any knowledge of chemical-related hazards or lead paint in your home (particularly if built before 1978), you will need to disclose this to prospective tenants and take additional precautions or actions, depending on the nature of the hazard. 

There are other standard disclosures and information that must be included in a lease agreement under California law, which can be found in the Guide To Residential Tenants’ And Landlords’ Rights And Responsibilities. The easiest way to stay informed and compliant is to let someone else manage this for you, such as a property manager or modern alternative like Belong. 

3. Can a landlord be held liable for their tenants’ behavior in San Diego?

This is a tricky area, but yes, there are certain liabilities that can exist for homeowners who have tenants that are knowingly creating a nuisance. 

Say for example your tenant is conducting criminal activity, or damaging the neighbor’s property — you have a responsibility to evict the offender. Similarly, if a neighbor complained to you about the damage or behavior from your residents and you fail to take action, you could be held liable. 

In this scenario, you (or your property manager or representative) should investigate the complaint to determine what happened. It could be a simple misunderstanding or in the instance of a noisy party, the resident may never do it again. If lease violations have occurred, you will need to provide written notice and you may need to take steps to evict the tenant to prevent further damage. 

4. Are landlords in San Diego responsible for noise complaints?

Yes, there are two ways in which noise complaints can become your responsibility if it’s affecting your rental property. The City of San Diego requires reduced noise levels between the hours of 10pm - 7am in residential zones.

Residents in your home have a right to “quiet enjoyment” of the home, so they can complain to you about noises and you need to take action with neighbors or the police. Failure to do so could result in a lease violation and give them cause to move out without penalty. 

Melanie Kershaw

Mel Kershaw is a Content Lead at Belong. With an extensive background working with technology companies including Eventbrite and Yelp, she’s always looking for ways to create educational and informative articles that simplifies tech and solves problems for her audience.

Afton Brazzoni

Flora Fiorillo

Tamara Epelbaum

Jordan Newsom

Tyler Infelise

Afton Brazzoni

Flora Fiorillo

Tamara Epelbaum

Jordan Newsom

Tyler Infelise