Post-Fire: Temporary Housing Options

Experiencing a house fire is a traumatic event that can have devastating effects on both your property and your emotional well-being. If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of dealing with a house fire and you don't have insurance, there are several important steps you should take to ensure your safety and begin the recovery process. Firstly, make sure that everyone in your household is safe and seek medical attention if needed. Contact emergency services and local authorities to report the fire and prevent further damage. Document the damage with photos and videos, as this evidence will be crucial for gaining financial assistance and holding someone accountable if the fire was caused by negligence.

Securing temporary housing is a critical next step. Reach out to local relief agencies, such as the American Red Cross, or connect with friends and family who can provide emergency lodging. It is important to have a safe place to stay while you navigate the challenges ahead. Additionally, contact your mortgage lender or landlord to inform them about the fire and discuss your options.

The financial implications of a house fire without insurance can be significant. You may need to explore options such as forbearance on your mortgage payments or seek government assistance programs and nonprofit organizations for help with temporary housing, food, and other essential needs.

Remember to take care of your emotional well-being during this difficult time. The psychological impact of a house fire can be overwhelming, so don't hesitate to reach out to counselling services and support groups for guidance and support.

Seek temporary shelter with local agencies, friends or family

If you've just experienced a house fire and don't have insurance, the first thing to do is to ensure everyone's safety. Check that the fire is out and perform a headcount to make sure all family members, pets, and other inhabitants are safe. Call 911 to report the fire and seek medical attention if needed. Once everyone's safety is confirmed, you'll need to find temporary shelter. Here are some options to consider:

Local Agencies

Reach out to local relief agencies, such as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, or other community organizations. These agencies often provide emergency lodging, food, and essential supplies for those affected by house fires. They can help you find a safe place to stay while you figure out your next steps.

Friends and Family

Get in touch with your friends and family members. They may be able to offer you a place to stay temporarily. Don't be afraid to ask for help; your support system can provide invaluable emotional and logistical support during this difficult time.

Temporary Housing Options

If you need help finding cheap hotels or shelters, contact local organizations or your local fire department. They may have information about temporary housing options that are affordable and accessible.

Government Assistance Programs

Look into government assistance programs such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the Disaster Assistance Improvement Program (DAIP). These programs offer disaster and housing assistance, providing resources for finding shelters, food, and other essentials.

Local Shelters

If you have nowhere else to turn, local shelters can provide emergency accommodation. These options are usually temporary, but it's worth asking if extensions are available.

Remember, your priority should be finding a safe place to stay while you navigate the aftermath of the fire. Don't hesitate to reach out to local agencies, friends, or family members for help. They are your best resources for finding temporary shelter and support.

Contact the police and relevant utility providers if you need to leave your home

If you need to leave your home after a fire, it is important to contact the police and relevant utility providers to ensure your safety and prevent further damage. Here are some detailed steps to follow:

Contacting the Police:

• Get in touch with your local police department and inform them that you will be away from your home. This step is crucial to ensure the safety and security of your property while it is vacant.
• Provide them with your contact information and temporary address so they can reach you if needed.
• Ask about any specific procedures or protocols they recommend to secure your property.
• Inquire about boarding up openings or taking other measures to prevent trespassing or vandalism.

Contacting Utility Providers:

• Call your utility providers, including gas, electricity, and water companies, to shut off all utilities to your house.
• Explain the situation and request that they disconnect your services until further notice.
• Ask about any necessary procedures to follow when restoring utilities in the future.
• Obtain clear instructions on how to safely turn off and restart your utilities.

Additional Considerations:

• Keep in mind that firefighters may have already shut off your utilities during the fire, but it is still important to confirm this with the relevant utility providers.
• Do not attempt to turn back on any utilities by yourself until you have been instructed to do so by the fire department or utility companies.
• Save all receipts related to your utility shut-off and restoration, as these may be needed for insurance or tax purposes.
• If you are renting or have a mortgage, be sure to notify your landlord or lender about the fire and any utility changes.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your home is secure and safe while you are away, and you can also prevent any further damage or issues caused by active utilities in an unoccupied home.

Document the damage for financial assistance and insurance claims

Documenting the damage caused by a house fire is crucial for receiving financial assistance and making insurance claims. Here are some detailed steps to help you through this process:

Take Photos and Videos:

Use your smartphone or camera to capture extensive photo and video evidence of the damage. Document both the interior and exterior of your home, paying close attention to structural damage, such as cracks in walls, damaged flooring, and missing roof tiles. Don't forget to capture any smoke or water damage as well. Take close-up photos of damaged personal belongings, including electronics, furniture, clothing, and appliances. If possible, also take photos of the fire itself to capture the severity and scale of the blaze.

Create a Detailed Inventory:

Make a comprehensive list of all damaged or destroyed items. Include everything, from major appliances and furniture to smaller items like clothing, kitchenware, and decorations. Note the brand names and model numbers if you still have that information. If you have receipts for these items, gather them as additional proof of ownership and value. For items without receipts, try to estimate their current market value. This inventory will be essential when negotiating with insurance adjusters and financial assistance providers.

Secure Important Documents:

Smoke and water damage can ruin important documents, so it's crucial to gather and protect them as soon as possible. Place smoke-damaged documents in a bag and store them in a freezer to prevent further deterioration. If you have digital copies, ensure they are backed up securely. Keep these documents safe, as you may need them for insurance claims, financial assistance applications, and future reference.

Prevent Further Damage:

Take reasonable steps to secure your property and prevent further damage. Cover any holes in the roof, walls, doors, or windows with plastic sheeting or plywood. Turn off the main water supply to prevent water damage and extract any standing water. Remove carpets, furniture, and inventory to reduce the risk of mold growth. Remember to document these mitigation efforts, as insurance policies often require policyholders to minimize ongoing harm to the property.

Contact Professionals:

Get in touch with licensed professionals, such as mitigation and restoration companies, to assess the full extent of the damage. They can help you identify hidden damage behind walls, below floors, or above ceilings. Additionally, consider hiring your own experts, such as engineers, restoration contractors, and public adjusters, to support you throughout the claims process and ensure a fair settlement.

Keep Records and Correspondence:

Maintain a detailed log of all phone calls, emails, and other correspondence related to the fire and its aftermath. Make copies of all documents you send to or receive from insurance companies, government agencies, and other organizations. Keep records of all expenses incurred due to temporary housing, food, clothing, and other daily living costs. These records will be essential for insurance claims and financial assistance applications.

Remember, the more thorough your documentation is, the stronger your case will be when seeking financial assistance and making insurance claims. It's also important to act promptly, as many insurance policies and assistance programs have time constraints for reporting and filing claims.

Secure the property to prevent further damage or theft

After a house fire, it is crucial to take immediate action to secure your property and prevent further damage or theft. Here are some detailed steps to help you through this challenging process:

Boarding Up and Securing Entry Points

Start by boarding up any broken windows and doors to prevent unauthorised entry. Firefighters often break windows and sometimes knock down doors to ventilate the property and eliminate smoke and hot gases, so securing these openings is essential. Cover any roof openings and consider installing temporary fencing around the perimeter of your property for added security.

Tarping and Covering Openings

Tarps should be placed over any holes in the roof or walls that lead to the outside. Firefighters may need to knock down walls to search for hidden fires, so it's important to cover these openings to protect the structure from weather damage and intruders.

Removing Valuables

If your home is no longer habitable, remove valuables such as money, credit cards, checkbooks, and items with sentimental value. Place them in a safe area, such as a trusted friend's home or a storage unit. This is important because damaged buildings can attract thieves, and you don't want to risk losing your precious belongings.

Relocating Salvageable Belongings

If it's safe to do so, relocate any salvageable belongings to a well-ventilated part of the structure. This will help protect them from further damage while the restoration process takes place.

Security and Alarm Systems

Keep in mind that your security alarms may malfunction if the electricity or telephone service has been interrupted. Consider temporary alternatives if necessary to ensure the security of your property.

Police Notification

In the unfortunate event that your property is looted or vandalised, notify the police immediately. A police report will likely be necessary for filing an insurance claim.

Remember, securing your property is crucial to protect against additional damage and deter potential vandalism or theft. By taking these steps, you can help ease the pain of losing your home to a fire and make the recovery process more manageable.

Contact your mortgage lender and landlord

If you rent your home, you will need to notify your landlord about the fire. If you own your home, you will need to contact your mortgage lender. In either case, it is important to act quickly.

Contacting your landlord

If you are renting and your home has been damaged by a fire, you should notify your landlord as soon as possible. This is especially important if the fire has affected the structure of the property or if there is a risk of further damage. Your landlord is responsible for maintaining the property and ensuring it is safe and habitable. They may need to organise repairs or secure the property to prevent further damage.

Contacting your mortgage lender

If you own your home and it has been damaged or destroyed by a fire, you will need to contact your mortgage lender as soon as possible. Your mortgage obligation does not disappear, even if your home is destroyed. Your mortgage lender is your most important contact after your insurance company. They may offer you deferred payments while the insurance claim is being sorted out. You may be able to continue making payments if you can, or you can ask to have them accrued and added back onto your mortgage at the end.

If you decide to rebuild, you will typically need to continue making mortgage payments unless you choose to defer them and have them added to the new mortgage amount. If the insurance payout is enough to pay off your mortgage, you will own the lot free and clear (assuming nothing else is on the title). You can then proceed with a construction mortgage if you decide to rebuild.

If the insurance payout is not enough to pay off your mortgage, you may still be able to rebuild the home as long as the new home has equal or more value than the previous one. Another option is to sell the land, and the insurance payout combined with the sale of the land may be enough to pay off the mortgage.

If you are unable to continue making mortgage payments due to the financial strain caused by the fire, you can request a mortgage forbearance from your lender or loan servicer. A forbearance agreement typically allows you to make partial payments or skip payments for up to six months, which can be extended for an additional six months if necessary. Interest will still accrue during this time, but your lender will not charge late fees or report you to credit bureaus.

Frequently asked questions