| What happens when you have an emergency. By | | | | 1. I make sure the emergency numbers are |
| definition, they aren't planned for, they are always | | | | attached to the lease and send a copy via email |
| a surprise.You as a manager or owner need to | | | | for their address book. I suggest that a copy be |
| have a preplanned procedure, without one you | | | | pasted into their cell phone with all numbers listed |
| can lose valuable time and even put a tenant or | | | | in one place under the address. |
| your property at risk. Time counts. | | | | 2. Its a good idea to map the gas valve shutoff is. |
| Clearly Define The Term | | | | How to use a circuit breaker and where they are |
| Tenants will call all kinds of things emergencies. I | | | | located. Going over some basic procedures such |
| would clearly define an emergency as " Fire Flood | | | | as how to use the shutoff and buy some time |
| or Blood". All other things can generally wait. Its | | | | until the emergency crew can arrive. This can |
| also a good idea to give tenants a list of simple | | | | save a life and property. Be very clear that |
| maintenance issues and a easy to read procedural | | | | tenants are not expected to risk themselves and |
| solution. For example; a plunger should be available | | | | if they think that's the case to leave immediately. |
| and how to use it. There are a host of little issue | | | | 3. I always like to talk about the safety of |
| that the tenant should understand are not issues | | | | renters insurance. Some emergencies causing |
| you come out for. | | | | extensive and expensive property damage are |
| Emergency Numbers | | | | the tenants fault. Explain that your homeowners |
| I always prepare a list of emergency numbers | | | | or your property and casualty will cover damage |
| such as Police Fire Hospital GAs and Electric and | | | | to the property but not to tenants property. I |
| my emergency answering service. Yes, you need | | | | also like to explain that an Insurance company will |
| to have a 24 x 7 response team. I also keep a | | | | pay the owner and then look to see if the tenant |
| list of my maintenance people as well as the | | | | was negligible. If so, they will sue the tenant, |
| same list I give tenants near bye. | | | | generally its big dollars. |
| The Lease Signing | | | | If you develop some procedures for serious |
| This is the perfect time to talk about emergency | | | | emergencies, you can save time and money and |
| procedures and how a tenant should respond. First | | | | sometimes, even avoid a tragedy. |