Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30 — and Florida landlords have legal and financial obligations that go beyond boarding up windows. This checklist covers everything Tampa Bay property owners need to do before, during, and after a storm.
Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, with peak activity between August and October. For Tampa Bay landlords, hurricane preparedness isn't just about protecting your own safety — it's a legal obligation, a financial necessity, and a critical part of your duty to your tenants.
Your Legal Obligations as a Florida Landlord
Under Florida Statute §83.51, landlords are required to maintain rental properties in a condition that complies with applicable building, housing, and health codes. In the context of hurricane season, this means:
- Roof integrity: Your roof must be in good repair before storm season. A pre-existing leak that worsens during a storm is a landlord liability.
- Windows and doors: All windows and exterior doors must be structurally sound. Broken seals, damaged frames, or missing hardware must be addressed.
- Tree and landscaping hazards: Overhanging branches, dead trees, or unstable landscaping that could damage the property or injure tenants are your responsibility to address.
- Flood disclosure: Florida law requires landlords to disclose known flood history to prospective tenants.
Pre-Season Checklist (Complete Before August)
Property inspection:
- Roof inspection by a licensed roofer — document condition with photos
- Gutters and downspouts cleared and secured
- All exterior doors and windows inspected and weatherstripped
- Garage doors inspected (the most common point of failure in hurricanes)
- HVAC units secured — outdoor units should be strapped or bolted
- Fencing inspected — loose panels become projectiles in high winds
- Trees trimmed — remove dead branches within 20 feet of the structure
- Sump pump tested (if applicable)
Insurance review:
- Confirm your landlord insurance policy is current and covers wind and flood
- Note: Standard homeowner policies do NOT cover flood damage — you need a separate NFIP or private flood policy
- Review your policy's hurricane deductible — Florida policies often have a separate, higher hurricane deductible (typically 2–5% of insured value)
- Confirm your policy covers loss of rental income during repairs
Tenant communication:
- Send tenants a written hurricane preparedness notice (GGC handles this for all managed properties)
- Confirm tenants have renter's insurance — their belongings are NOT covered by your landlord policy
- Provide local evacuation zone information (Hillsborough County: hcflgov.net/em)
- Share emergency contact procedures
During a Storm Event
- Do NOT enter the property during a storm or immediately after — wait for official all-clear
- Document any damage with photos and video as soon as it is safe to do so
- Contact your insurance carrier within 24 hours of damage discovery
- Engage licensed contractors immediately — do not use unlicensed storm chasers
Post-Storm Landlord Obligations
Florida law requires landlords to make emergency repairs within a reasonable time. For habitability-affecting damage (roof leaks, broken windows, loss of power to HVAC), "reasonable time" is typically 7–14 days. Failure to make timely repairs can give tenants grounds to withhold rent or terminate the lease.
Post-storm checklist:
- Full property inspection — document all damage before any cleanup
- File insurance claim immediately
- Notify tenants of repair timeline in writing
- Arrange temporary housing if the property is uninhabitable (your insurance may cover this)
- Engage licensed contractors — all work over $2,500 requires a licensed contractor in Florida
How GGC Handles Hurricane Season for Managed Properties
GGC Real Estate Group manages hurricane preparedness proactively for every property in our portfolio:
- Pre-season inspections completed by June 30 each year
- Tenant hurricane notices sent in June with evacuation zone and emergency contact information
- 24/7 emergency maintenance line active throughout storm season
- Contractor network — we have pre-vetted licensed contractors available for emergency response
- Insurance coordination — we assist with documentation and claims on your behalf
Call (813) 812-4042 or visit our maintenance request page if you have a storm-related emergency.