Protect your rental from summer storms

Torrential rain. Flash floods. Gale-force winds. Hail. Lightning. It is not the sunny, carefree image most people have of an Aussie summer, but from November to April, these months mark the peak of our natural disaster season.

For southern Australia, summer is peak season for bushfires and severe storms. In the north, it is cyclone season.

Severe storms can trigger flash flooding, tear roofs off buildings, and bring down trees or power lines, causing widespread damage. In fact, on average, storms account for more damage (measured by insurance claims) than tropical cyclones, earthquakes, floods, or bushfires.

While you cannot control the weather, proactive maintenance can help reduce the risk of storm damage to your investment property.

It is also a condition of most insurance policies to adequately maintain your property. If you need to make a claim after a storm, the level of upkeep can be a key factor in whether your claim is accepted. Neglected repairs could result in part or all of your claim being denied.

Below is an action plan to help you get your property ready for storm season.

Top tip: You should engage professionals to carry out inspections, repairs and specialised work like roofing and tree lopping. Be sure to check that the tradie is insured and holds any required qualifications and licences.

Head to the top. Fix the roof.

• Get the roof checked for leaks and other damage.
• Fix any cracked, broken or displaced tiles.  
• Patch or replace damaged roof sheeting.
• Have any built-up dirt removed.
• Check there are no damaged bricks or cracked joints on flues and chimneys.
• Inspect the inside of the roof space.
• Inspect the ceilings and walls for signs of leaks.

Make like a sweep. Clean gutters, downpipes and drains.

• Make sure gutters and downpipes are free of debris.
• Check for rust, holes, blockages, other damage and that gutters and downpipes are securely attached.
• Clear leaves from the valleys of the roof. 
• Check drains are clear of blockages and free-flowing.
• Channel water to drain away from the property.

Channel a lumberjack. Trim trees and branches.

• Have overhanging trees and branches on your property pruned so they cannot fall on the home or power lines.
• If there are trees (not on your property, e.g. verge trees) or powerlines that may pose a threat to your property, contact your council or energy company to check them.

Grounds control. Maintain the yard and balcony.​

• Repair damaged windows and doors.
• Ensure structures that could take flight in heavy winds, like pergolas, fences, roofing iron and sheds, are soundly anchored.
• Make sure any exterior structures that may be subject to storm damage are sound, such as patios and pergolas, outdoor steps and handrails, sheds, fences and decks.
• If you keep chemicals or poisons on the premises (e.g. in outdoor sheds), be sure to store them well above ground level in case of flash floods.

Be be prepared. Check your insurance policy is current and adequate.

• Take out cover well in advance. Once a disaster has struck, or is imminent, it is too late to arrange cover.
• Ensure the policy is up-to-date and the level of cover, including the sums insured, are sufficient.
• Make sure the insurance policy provides cover for the types of events specific to the location of your rental, these may include flash flood, storm water runoff, associated landslip (or landslide) and damage to properties by trees. For example, flood cover is often excluded, but is provided for in all EBM RentCover policies.
• Understand the policy – the inclusions and any exclusions, limitations and excesses applicable. It is also important to understand how the insurer defines certain events like flooding.
• Understand the policyholder’s obligations under cover, such as the loss mitigation clauses (i.e. acting to prevent further damage or loss).
• Keep on top of property maintenance as failure to maintain the premises can void the policy or limit the payout amount.
• Prepare a property inventory (keep copies of proof of ownership off-site).
• Remind tenants that they need their own contents insurance, as your landlord insurance does not cover their possessions.

While you cannot control the weather, you can make sure you have insurance in place in the event that your rental suffers summer storm damage and you suffer losses.

*While we have taken care to ensure the information above is true and correct at the time of publication, changes in circumstances and legislation after the displayed date may impact the accuracy of this article. If you need us we are here, contact 1800 661 662 if you have any questions.