The rains we witnessed at the start of the New Year in some Gulf countries came as a welcome change to many – the UAE alone received about 18 months’ worth of rain in a span of three days. Still, heavy rains are an unusual feature for many of these countries and can cause significant disruptions even when experienced in short bursts.

In addition to life outside, these disruptions can also be caused at home with cracks and leakages emerging in structures, making it a priority situation for property managers. Often, our property managers witness maintenance issues being unearthed in buildings which have experienced their first rain. While the focus then is to resolve the issues that have cropped up, here are some tips from property managers that can help owners and occupiers of new and existing properties prevent damages from such weather events in the future.

Communicate Early and Often:

This is equally the responsibility of property managers and owners/tenants. When property managers are aware of rough weather that is expected imminently, they can share a quick notification with their clients who are likely to be affected. Owners and tenants on their part must inform their property managers early on if they anticipate or begin to experience any maintenance issues as a result of inclement weather. It is always helpful to be aware of any problem areas in the property such as misaligned windows, missing insulation at balcony doors, or minor surface cracks and inform the property manager of them beforehand so that timely action can be taken. 

Be Prepared:

In some communities, especially villas and townhouses, waterlogging and flooding is unavoidable. To prevent water from flowing into homes, residents or owners can keep sandbags or other removable flood barriers in convenient storage areas for use at gates and doors if, and when, the need arises. Drains and gutters should be kept unobstructed to ensure a proper outlet for water. Any heavy objects such as outdoor furniture or décor which can tip over due to strong winds must be moved indoors, especially if no one is home. Electric supply must be switched off if water reaches any electrical system or outlet.

Review Insurance Policies:

While the physical structure of a house or building might be insured against damages due to weather events, the contents of a home are often overlooked and can lead to significant out-of-pocket expenses. Those who have a home contents insurance policy should review the fine print in detail to understand the inclusions and exclusions.

With co-operation and timely action from both managers and owners/occupiers, serious weather-related property issues can be avoided, even if the weather itself cannot.