What are the responsibilities of a Property Manager in hurricane?

Question

Good day,I live in Colorado but own a 9 unit rental property in St Pete Beach, Florida. I was very concerned when I heard Hurricane Irma was headed to FLA and called my property manager last Thursday, who told me there was nothing I could do, no one left to hire, no sandbags left. When I found out the Hurricane was headed directly at St Pete 2 days ago, I posted on Craigslist and found someone with plywood who boarded up the units on the 2nd floor. I also had people offer to put up sandbags, but it was too late. I had text my Property Manager when I put the post on Craigslist and then text him again when I hired someone, but have still not heard back from him.I do not recall the original agreement we had made 9 years ago when I hired him. But in general, is it a property manager's responsibility to do any type of Hurricane prepping or notification to tenants? I am feeling really disappointed in him right now. I appreciate any replies. Alyssa

Christine Kankowski · Answer

The property manger is most likely dealing with many tenants who are now homeless, properties that are flooded or damaged from the storm, employees that have evacuated, and not coming to work. Many people dont have power. At this stage, if you haven't heard much from the PM, that means your place is faring way batter than others. Take a step back and he/she will respond in time. If you've been with them for 9 years, they most likele have done a good job so far. This just happened and they are in crisis mode.

Mindy Jensen · Answer

@Alysa Phalen , while it sounds like you had minimal damage, you could not have known that last Thursday.I'm in CO too, and I heard that Irma could be an issue while Harvey was still wrecking Houston.Since your property is not damaged, I would give the PM time to get their other properties in order, but I'd schedule a meeting with them in person to get a storm preparedness plan in place. This certainly will not be the last hurricane in FL.Does your 9-unit have a storage space for you to put plywood for the next time? Last Thursday, there probably wasn't any plywood left in the stores, but there will be some in a couple of weeks. I feel that it would be the PMs job to tell you a hurricane is forecast, and ask you what you'd like to do, or have the plan in place beforehand. It's not like you could just fly down there and board up the windows yourself.I'm not in FL, but I feel your frustrations are justified. Talk to your PM about how to handle it in the future.

Deanna McCormick · Answer

Sounds like the people in FLA had just about all they could do to evacuate, the storms route was changing and intensity was unpredictable for the most part as was constantly changing.We probably had more information from new reporters in MN than the people in FLA,, that were stuck on highways, in shelters, and scrambling for Gas for their cars..Most counties still without POWER,, Count your self lucky if your property had minor damage, and ask your PM what you can do to help..them.. This type of storm is over the top, with tornadoes popping up all over and water surge.

Amy H. · Answer

I used to be a property manager and at least in our contracts and agreements, natural disasters were our responsibility to prepare for. When it snows here in VA, it was my job as a PM to get a vendor for snow prepping of salt and chemicals, snow removal, and assess and take care of any damage. It would be the same if a hurricane hit us as well. You shouldn't have had to do that yourself, especially being out of state. Get a new PM for sure!

Kim Meredith Hampton · Answer

@Alysa Phalen As a Property Manager in Florida, please, please, please have some patience and understanding. This is a national disaster like none we have ever experienced, I just got home, left at seven this morning with my team to assess damage at ovwr 200 properties throughput central florida, while I don't even have power myself, gas is almost non existent, and most businesses are not even open yet. We are doing all this for our clients, while another part of our team is filing insurance claims, contacting our contractors, the list is endless. Schools are closed, places are flooded, over 5 million still without power, we have unscrupulous contractors knocking on our tenants doors. Power lines down . We are exhausted!!! It is so easy to be hundreds of miles away and think that everything can happen that fast it doesn't.Why don't you send an email to your Property Manager and simply say "Thank You" for all you do

Alysa Phalen · Answer

Thank you Deanna! I just received photos of my property and it looks like it's fine (except for a stripped palm tree and debris in the pool). So I guess you are saying I should have a storm readiness program with my property manager so that in the future he will get my property sufficiently prepared for a hurricane. I almost feel like changing property manager's, I am just really disappointed with his lack of contact to me...

Deanna McCormick · Answer

All considered, This was a record storm, and you should probably have some type of storm readiness program with your PM company from now on..As owner you should download FLA state landlord tenant laws,, if you had flooding that damaged sheetrock, flooring,, That would keep residents on 1st floor from using the unit until repaired,, you should be prepared to know if you need to give them immediate notice to vacate. with refund of security deposit and refund of rent prorated from date of storm. No repairs to replace sheetrock can be done until all the studs, flooring, are dry.. and this takes time,, and everyone else is in the same situation so lack of supplies, and workers to get the job done is going to be a huge issue.. Might be better to have someone from Colorado, drive down, and get figured out what's needed, and order supplies and rent a box truck from Colorado with supplies and drive it all down.. at least you'd have your own workforce to do the work..