Many vacation rental owners have rental property in an area prone to natural disasters and it can be hard to know how to prepare for one from a distance. We';ve compiled a short set of guidelines to help you figure out what steps you can take to get ready if natural disasters affect your area.

1. Learn which natural disasters affect your vacation rental';s location and get insured. Try to get a policy including a “loss of use” provision because this helps to guarantee at least some reimbursement of lost rental revenue.
   
2. In your rental agreement, outline your inclement weather and “acts of god” policy. Explain in clear terms procedures for natural disasters and under what circumstances you will issue refunds, if any.
   
3.  Consider making an emergency plan for yourself that answers the following questions:
   
   • What will you say to renters whose reservations will have to be cancelled?
   • What will you do if renters request a refund?
   • Who will be in charge of inspecting the vacation home for damage and hiring servicemen to fix the damage?
4. If you receive official warnings of a natural disaster and you have renters scheduled to arrive, you may want to call them and let them know about the recent reports. This is a good opportunity to review the inclement weather policy of the rental agreement. It would be best to contact anyone who will be staying in your home in the next 2 weeks.

Natural disasters are unavoidable but taking certain precautions will help you prepare for them. With regards to your renters, it is best to be up-front about the “acts of god” affecting your area and to include a clear policy in your rental agreement. It is also a good idea to keep an emergency plan and emergency supplies at your rental home and to speak with renters scheduled to arrive immediately following a natural disaster.

How have you prepared your vacation rental home for a natural disaster?

Natural Disasters and Your Vacation Rental Disaster-specific precautions to take when inspecting your vacation home.   Nine Things You Should Warn Your Vacation Renters About Include warnings about known local dangers with your directions to your guests.   Why You Should Include Warnings in Rules and Rental Agreements  Are there known dangers regarding flora, fauna, weather, danger areas, or just plain crazy neighbors in your area?   10 Signs You're Due for Some Household Maintenance A humorous look at how you know to schedule some household maintenance.

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