Coming across an unattended death in one’s Marietta rental property is not something most property owners ever expect to experience. It’s not uncommon for someone to die and not be discovered for a number of days or weeks. Even if a body is left unattended for a short period of time, body fluids quickly start to break apart, seeping into every surface, and the stench itself can be overwhelming even after the body is removed.
Who removes the tenant’s belongings?
You will want to reach out to the emergency contact or next of kin on rental agreement and let them know that your tenant has died, if they don’t know already. The person in charge of your tenant’s estate, and often members of the family, will come in and remove the valuable items, heirlooms, and anything else that they want to keep.
How soon do you begin the undiscovered death cleanup?
Once it is established, everything is going to be removed from the property. Then you can call in a biohazard cleanup company in Marietta. The company will remediate your rental property of all biohazards, leaving it sanitized and safe for to rent again. This could be as easy as cleaning up a mattress or as extensive as ripping out flooring and drywall. Even if there seems to be only a small stain on the carpet or wood flooring, body fluids can seep underneath and create a stain on the padding and subfloor five times as large. In such cases, the flooring has to be removed and replaced. It’s best to take care of the unattended death cleanup as quickly as possible.
Do I have to disclose the unattended death?
If directly asked about the property’s past, the landlord or landlord’s agent must disclose the unattended death in the Marietta rental house. Other questions about the property’s past should be honestly answered to the best of their knowledge as long as they do not violate any state, local or fair housing rules or regulations.
How do you handle the lease?
Rent and lease agreements can be written in many ways, but typically this is how it goes. If the tenant is on a month-to-month lease, the day of death serves as the 30 day notice. Their next of kin have that long to remove their belongings. If the tenant was on a long-term lease, the estate is responsible for the cost of the lease unless you decide to terminate the lease early and rent the unit out to another tenant. Review your rental/lease agreement to see if there is a provision for this type of situation. Most landlords just want possession of the Marietta rental property, so they can get it cleaned and rented as soon as possible.
Who pays for the damages?
Most home insurance policies will cover the undiscovered death cleanup cost, less the deductible. The estate is responsible for any damage the tenant may have caused while alive.
It is always wise to consult with an attorney and/or Georgia’s local landlord tenant laws before making any legal decisions. This post is for general informational purposes and is not intended to legal advice.
Contact Georgia Clean today
Georgia Clean is located in Marietta, and is available help you out or answer any questions you may have. Contact us by calling us at 770-766-4562 for immediate assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
