The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is less than one month away, leaving property managers, landlords and tenants on edge with the potential for power outages. In Florida, these events are all too common and pose a risk to vulnerable communities.
It's never too late to prepare your property and renters for impending power outages. Here's what you should remember before, during and after you experience a prolonged blackout.
Why Power Outages Are on the Rise
Eighty percent of power outages in the United States — 1,755 reported incidents — occurred due to severe weather from 2000 to 2023. Tropical cyclones — which are common in Florida — accounted for 14%.
The electricity grid is highly susceptible to major storms, particularly since much of it is outdated infrastructure. In fact, 70% of transmission lines are over 25 years old and quickly approaching the end of their life expectancy. This has significant repercussions on communities.
Weather-related grid failures are common across the southern U.S. For example, in 2021, Texas had 20 hours of power outages, giving it the third-highest rate of outages nationwide. However, Florida — a target for hurricanes — has also endured several lengthy blackout events.
In 2024, Hurricane Milton barreled into the state’s West Coast, sending 1.2 million households into darkness, some for several days. Unfortunately, these interruptions may occur more frequently as climate change intensifies extreme weather events. According to one study, tornado outbreaks from tropical cyclones will likely increase from 56% to 299%, knocking out power for more people.
What’s Expected of Property Managers During a Power Outage?
Landlords have little control over power outages, especially weather-related ones. However, as a property manager, tenants may still expect you to help at various stages of a blackout and electricity recovery.
1. Secure the Property
Securing your property is the first step in preparing for power outages and protecting your tenants. Conduct regular electrical assessments, upgrade systems, install surge protectors and test generators.
Additionally, you may want to consider pruning trees around your property, especially those near power lines. This way, branches won't down cables, and tenants won’t risk tripping and falling over broken limbs on pathways.
2. Relay Emergency Procedures to Tenants
Ensure tenants know how to operate generators safely, what emergency protocols are, and where to access emergency kits. You should also review your insurance policy to better understand your coverage of outage-related damages and update rental contracts to clarify tenant responsibilities.
3. Stay Informed During an Outage
There’s no predicting how long a power outage will last. While most blackouts are only 20 minutes, others could be hours or days, especially if there is a violent storm passing through.
Remain informed about recovery statuses by tuning into your local news station or searching for updates from your utility company. Be sure to relay the same information to your tenants by email, text or phone — setting up a notification system can help disseminate these details promptly.
4. Assist Vulnerable Tenants
Although you may not be directly responsible for everyone’s well-being during a utility-caused outage, it is a kind gesture to assist wherever possible, especially if you have tenant households with older adults over 65, children under five, or tenants with various medical problems or disabilities. For example, turn on all battery-operated security systems and use emergency lighting to illuminate hallways and the surrounding property.
5. Inspect and Document Damage
When it is safe to venture outside, you and your tenants should inspect and document any damage to the property, electrical systems and appliances. Photographs will be most useful when submitting claims to your insurance company. Then, call qualified professionals to make necessary repairs and concentrate on restoring the most essential services, such as water, heat and air conditioning.
Remember to contact your tenants during every progress stage, providing estimated recovery timelines and safety measures they should follow. For instance, you may tell them to avoid a specific area if a cleanup crew is working on the premises.
Landlord-Tenant Legal Considerations
Although Florida laws state a landlord cannot directly or indirectly shut off power to residents, such as to pressure them after not paying rent or violating their lease agreement in another way, they do not carry legal responsibility during power outages. In actuality, these occurrences are the power company's responsibility, and all communication should be directed to them.
Despite this, you may still need to provide reasonable accommodations for vulnerable tenants according to provisions under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Protect Your Property and Tenants From Power Outages
A power outage in Florida is risky, especially when you can't cool your property during the hottest months. Careful planning and preparation are key to getting through the worst blackouts and ensuring everyone remains safe.
Evelyn Long is a writer that specializes in housing market trends. She is also the founder of Renovated Magazine, where she writes essential resources for renters and homeowners. She has contributed to several other sites like the National Association of Realtors and Realty Executives.