disaster preparedness: what renters need to know

Oakland, California October 24, 2015

Disaster Preparedness: What Renters Need to Know

Gradiva CouzinBerkeley CERT volunteer

Email: [email protected]: @berkeleyCERT

facebook.com/berkeleyCERT

Phot

o: U

SGS

mailto:[email protected]


Prepareness is for EVERYONE

Disaster preparedness is only for owners

Myth RealityThe majority of recommended preparedness actions can be done by renters

Preparedness is mostly about making your home structurally safer

Preparedness is mostly good planning and habits not related to your home structure

The biggest risk in an earthquake is the building falling down

Most injuries are from your own stuff falling; your well-being also depends on maintaining comfort and normalcy.


Disaster Preparedness challenges faced by renters:

Disaster Preparedness Challenges Faced By Renters

Not as much control over your physical environment

After a disaster: risk of landlord taking advantage of damage to reclaim rent-controlled units

Limited space to store disaster supplies

More likely to live in soft-story structures


Disaster Preparedness advantages for by renters:

Disaster Preparedness Advantages for Renters

No loss of equity in structural damage

Flexibility to move to an area not affected by disaster

Renter’s insurance is lower cost (though still pricey)

Multi-unit building creates natural community


Renters: Improving Your Home Preparedness/Safety

Home Hazard Hunt for renters

But this doesn’t look like my place!



Home Hazard Hunt for renters

But this doesn’t look like my house!



Improving Home Hazards

Improve what you can without putting holes in walls

Use sample letters to request other changes from landlord

Do not make any changes that could give the landlord a legal cause to evict (especially important if you have rent control). Get written permission first.

Move heavy items away from bedsStrap TV to furniture

Strap water heaterPermission to brace shelves, cabinets, etc.Anything else you found in the hazard hunt


Sample letters

Always get permission in writing!



Know how to turn off gas & waterOnly turn it off if there is a leak

Talk to your apartment manager about posting emergency procedures



Where to put a disaster kit You can fit a lot in a 5 gallon bucket!• in a locked storage bin in a shared

outdoor yard, courtyard, or parking area

• on your balcony• under your bed• in the trunk of your car• in a garage, if you’re sure you’ll be

able to access it


In a multi-story building:

Safety in an earthquake

Stay inside until the shaking stops. Do not use the elevator. If you are in an elevator during an

earthquake, hit the button for every floor and get out as soon as you can.

In a large apartment building the safest place in an earthquake is by the central reinforced core of the building, which is usually located by the elevator well.

If there is someone in your household who can’t use stairs, think now about an evacuation plan.


If your home is damaged:

After Disaster Strikes: Protect Your Rights

If the building is red-tagged, don’t enter it – the landlord or apartment manager doesn’t have the right to overrule a red tag.

If you need to move, CA price gouging laws apply to rental prices

Document every agreement with your landlord in writing. If you have to vacate temporarily for repairs, get a written relocation agreement.

Renters can seek financial assistance for relocation costs & property damage from FEMA or SBA (often these are loans, not grants).


Do you live in a soft story structure?

Soft Story Structures

Open first floor – often parking or retail

At a higher risk in earthquakes

Oakland, Berkeley, and SF have retrofit requirements for some soft story structures

Structures covered by the law are listed online.

Did your landlord disclose to you? Photo: SF City & County


Your Action Checklist

Home hazard hunt. Do what you can! Get written permission before making any holes/alterations.

Disaster supplies, even if it’s a compact version. Food, water, hygiene, light, entertainment, comfort.

Family communication plan

Financial preparedness; insurance?

Know your surroundings: emergency exits, gas shut-off


More Resources

http://resilience.abag.ca.gov/wp-content/documents/OaklandSoftStoryMap2013.pdf

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/prepare/activity-guides/

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/3261

Oakland Soft Story Program

Berkeley Soft Story Program

Berkeley CERT Activity Guides(includes sample renter letters)

FEMA home hazard hunt

Earthquake Ins. For Rentershttp://www.earthquakeauthority.com/insurancepolicies/renters

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/softstory/

http://www.earthquakeauthority.com/insurancepolicies/renters

http://www.earthquakeauthority.com/insurancepolicies/renters


Your Questions!

Gradiva CouzinBerkeley CERT volunteer

Email: [email protected]: @berkeleyCERT

facebook.com/berkeleyCERT

mailto:[email protected]

disaster preparedness: what renters need to know

Government & Nonprofit