How to handle hurricane effects.

[Brian Knox]

How is it typically handled if a storm like Hurricane Irma damages a rental property or creates an extended power outage for a tenant?

In other words, do I as the landlord need to put them up in a hotel or find alternate shelter for them?

Thanks very much for any insight!

Brian

[Jim Shepard]

I have just flown into Fort Myers yesterday and plan on going to see my 3 rentals in Cape Coral tomorrow. One finally got the power back on Saturday while the other two were down for a couple days. Albeit in 90 degree heat.
I discussed with my property manager what we should do for the tenants. She said it was an act of God and we didn't have to do anything legally. I know they had to throw out everything in their refrigerator as we had to in our second home. I told the pm that we would like to check out the houses and give the tenants a $100 gift card each to a grocery store. She thought that was over the top. None of her other clients were doing anything for their tenants (they manage several hundred rentals in the area). We had thought about giving them a 50% rent reduction but the bank isn't going to do anything for me. Or the county on property taxes. Etc. I also told the pm to work with the tenants this next month if they can't pay the full rent without late charges.
I personally felt more of a moral obligation to help the tenants then a legal one. If you live in Florida, hurricane season comes every year.
My .02