Summer is right around the corner, and with that comes the heightened likelihood of wild weather. While bush fires, storms and floods are simply a part of Australia, the impact they can have on our property is significant and sometimes out of our control. That being said, there are a number of things that we, as homeowners, landlords and property managers can do to help prepare our property’s and reduce the impact that significant weather can have.
While we don’t know when, what or where wild weather will strike, as it goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry. This means getting prepared. Understanding the landscape and the climate where your property is located is vital to ensuring the appropriate preparedness. For example, North Queensland’s climate is vastly different to that of Melbourne, therefore there may be different preparation required. History can give great insight into what we may expect and staying connected with the community can be a great source of insight and advice.
From a property perspective, ensuring trees are maintained, overhanging branches removed and are a safe distance from the house can restrict any damage to structures from falling trees and branches. Leaf litter around the property and within gutters should be cleared regularly. Excessive build up in gutters can cause overflow into the eaves causing water damage to the house. Broken pipes, loose tiles and damaging roofs should be attended to.
Regular inspections by your property manager will ensure the property is being maintained, and a condition check on your property may be beneficial to ensure any unknown or unnoticed maintenance can be addressed before further damage from the impact of wild weather occurs.
While it is not required, new tenants – particularly those who have moved to the area from a fair distance – may not be aware of areas that are high risk for fires, floods or cyclones. During an emergency, it’s important for tenants to have information on hand for emergency numbers if required, your property manager will likely have provided this at the beginning of the tenancy.
Ensuring your insurance is up to date and you are familiar with what is and what isn’t covered is crucial. If you are unsure, reach out to your insurance provider or broker. If your property is damaged by natural disaster it is important to move swiftly with rectifying any damages.
Summer storms, bushfires, cyclones and floods are out of our control, however with knowledge and preparation we can make sure we’re ready to act if needed.