On the latest episode of the Smarter Landlording Podcast, my guest Bucky Philip and I discussed clauses that were required in residential leases here in Tennessee. One of those clauses is a statement demonstrating that you as the landlord are not responsible for the tenant’s personal items in case of a fire, break in or some other emergency. I call it the fire clause.
We have such a clause in our lease. In fact, we go one step further. We highly recommend that tenant’s get their own renter’s insurance and then have then initial next to the clause. That way if there is ever a problem in the future (let’s hope there is not), the tenant cannot claim they were not informed.
Here is the fire clause we use in our lease. Feel free to modify to fit your needs.
Tenant’s Personal Property: Manager shall not be responsible for loss of, theft, or damage to, Tenant’s personal property. Manager shall not provide fire and casualty insurance for Tenant’s personal property. IT IS THE TENANT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO OBTAIN RENTER’S INSURANCE.
I/we understand the rental insurance policy:___________ Tenants Initials.
Check out the Smarter Landlording Podcast with Bucky for other information you need to know.
Also stay tuned for the next episode coming up in a few weeks.
It’s not a law here, but here is what is in my lease.
25. DAMAGE OR INJURY TO RESIDENT OR HIS/HER PROPERTY: MANAGEMENT is not responsible for any damage or injury that is done to RESIDENT or his/her property, guests or their property that was not caused by MANAGEMENT. MANAGEMENT recommends that RESIDENT obtain Renter’s Insurance to protect against injuries or property damage.