All Forum Posts by: Brian Springfield

 I’m listening. :-)

Always have ears open to good advice. Thanks. 

 Thanks everyone !

One last question. Perhaps a dumb one but…

For dogs I see the reason for pet coverage on the renters insurance… liability against bites. 

Do cat owners need pet coverage on renters insurance?? Would it help me if a tenant moves out and their cat left urine smell - atrocious and needs remediation?

 Sorry I’m not sure I’m following. Are you saying I shouldn’t require it, because most people in Cleveland don’t have a lot of valuables? They won’t therefore want to get Renters Insurance, thereby killing my pool of potential tenants?

Thanks. I see the wisdom in it, without doubt.

I guess what confuses me is why some large apartment complexes don’t require it?  I have a very close friend who’s in a complex that has close to 100 units. No renters insurance is required! She’s lived there for decades now. She still chooses to have renters insurance of her own volition and pays $95 a year. 

I’m a “small time” landlord with SFHs.

Up to now I have not been actively requiring renters insurance in my leases.

I once had tenants with a large dog, and in that case I put a clause in the lease stating that they would acquire and hold renters insurance including pet coverage, but I never asked them to show me proof. 

How mandatory is it? Am I setting myself up for grief by not taking it seriously?  

What happens if the lease states they are required to have it but they never bother? Would that in any legal way absolve my liability and place it back on them?

If not - how do you all make sure the tenant has renters insurance, that it covers personal property, liability, and animals, and how do you make sure they don’t turn around and cancel it right after they move in??

Thank you!!