Living in Nevada County and Placer County California come with many perks including our beautiful scenery and the abundance of trees.  While trees can certainly be beautiful to look at, beneficial for shade, increase your rental property value, and provide fruit and clean air, if they are not properly maintained or in ill health, they can be more of a detriment to your rental property than beneficial.  With the winter upon us and snow coming down more than we have experienced in awhile, trees have become an issue.  Here are three things, in our experience as property managers in Nevada & Placer Counties California, that you should be aware of when it comes to owning a investment property with trees in our area:

“…trees should be kept furthest from your home, while shrubs and trees may be closer.” 

“Reduce the chance of fire climbing into trees by removing the lower tree limbs from 6-10 feet from the ground (or the lower third of branches on smaller trees).”

“Remove any combustible materials (such as needles, leaves, dead twigs, firewood, dry grasses, recycling, and building materials) from within 30 feet of the home, garage, outbuildings, and propane tanks.”

“Mulches greater than 2 inches deep tend to smolder and are difficult to extinguish. Do not use wood or bark mulches within 5 feet of the house.”

• HAVE AN ANNUAL TREE ASSESSMENT DONE: Our climate lends the perfect receipt for vegetation growth , which means that trees should be assessed annually in order to properly maintain them, provide defensible space from structures, and ensure they are in good health.  Most local companies (We like and use: Leaf it to Me, Acton Arboriculture, Tree Safe, and Crown Tree Service) will provide a free estimate of what should be done on your Grass Valley, Nevada City, or Auburn rental investment property in order to be both Fire Safe and in compliance with your insurance.  Sometimes an insurance company may try to require you to clear more of a defensible space than what Nevada County requires.  If you are working with a local company that knows our local laws, then they can provide a written report to your insurance company stating what is necessary.  An annual assessment is also critical when you’re dealing with certain types of trees that can only bare so much pruning at a time and in certain climates.  If you wait many years between pruning then it may be detrimental to the tree.
• IF A TREE OR BRANCH FALLS, WHAT NEXT?  AllState insurance put out a great article, If A Tree Falls On My House, Does Homeowners Insurance Cover It? This article goes over this question and more.  Here is a snapshot of what the article discussed: 

“Q: DOES HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE COVER DAMAGE CAUED BY FALLEN TREES ON MY PROPERTY?

A: The answer to this question is, “It depends.” A homeowners insurance policy typically protects your home and other structures, such as a fence or shed, against specific causes of loss, known as perils. Covered perils typically include damage caused by wind. So, the situation that caused the tree to fall is important. If the tree was otherwise healthy and toppled due to wind, a typical homeowners insurance policy may help pay to repair damage to your home or other structure on your property, the Insurance Information Institute (III) says.

Q: WHAT IF THE TREE DOESN’T DAMAGE ANYTHING?

A: If a tree falls down and causes no structural damage, meaning your house doesn’t need any repairs, your homeowners insurance policy typically will not cover debris removal, according to the III.

Q: WHAT HAPPENS IF THE TREE WAS ON MY NEIGHBOR’S PROPERTY?

A: If your home is damaged by your neighbor’s tree, the III says you’ll typically find that your homeowners insurance may help pay to repair the damage to your house (or other structure, if the tree falls on your fence, for example).

Q: AM I RESPONSIBLE IF A TREE FROM MY PROPERTY DAMAGES MY NEIGHBOR’S PROPERTY?

A: You’re typically only considered responsible if neglect on your part was a contributing factor to the tree’s demise. If not — say a storm knocked your healthy tree onto your neighbor’s house — your neighbor will likely have to file a claim through his or her own insurance.”

Lastly, the American Apartment Owners Assocaition released a great article titled, How Tree Services Can Protect Your Property.  Click through to read about how tree services can help protect a home’s foundation, improve visibility, and help prevent future damage.

We hope that by sharing this information, you can be more “tree smart” with your rental property.  Part of managing a investment property in Grass Valley, Nevada City and Auburn California means making sure it’s in compliance with laws and safe for a tenant.  We are happy to facilitate/schedule necessary vendors and use our expertise to ensure your property is in compliance and ready to rent.  Often times, when vendors are too busy to schedule clients, they will take us on because of our repeat business and good relationship.  Let us handle your real estate rental investment property in Nevada County and Placer County California.

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