What To Do If House Gets Condemned by the Fire Department

Published on May 11th, 2023

Life can be stressful and chaotic, making it a perfect environment for emergencies to arise in homes. Whether it's a natural disaster, a car accident, or something as simple as your sink overflowing, everything can seem like a major crisis at any given moment. If you find yourself in this situation, you'll want to stay one step ahead of the game, prepared for alarms to sound off and the sight of a blaze, in order to have the power to deal with any potential emergency. By keeping a few important pieces of information in mind, and imagining firefighters in helmets and uniforms with sirens blaring and hoses at the ready, you can stay safe and sound while your home is a fire hazard. Preparing for a house fire is no simple task, especially when dealing with the alarm and siren noises, but you can do it. Here are some things you can do if your house gets condemned by the fire department due to factors like oxygen-reliant residents.

In some cases, local laws and authorities work together to ensure the safety of properties and their occupants. Understanding your rights and the role of the fire department in declaring buildings unfit for occupancy is crucial in knowing how to answer their requirements and ensuring a proper order of actions.

What Does It mean For a Home To Be Condemned?

Condemnation is the act of declaring a building to be unfit for occupancy or use. It is issued by an authorized government agency when it determines that the building is unsafe or unhealthy for its residents. Once a property is condemned, a notice of condemnation is issued to the property owner, and it is often posted on the front door of the building. A notice of condemnation means you must vacate your home immediately and remain off the property until it is brought up to code.

How is a House Condemned By a Fire?

The steps taken to condemn a property from the fire are as follows:

1. A complaint is received by the State Fire Marshal's Office or a fire department.

2. The local fire department conducts general and quarterly inspections of the property, and they look if building codes are being met in the home.

3. If the property is in fire code violation, a letter is sent to the landlord with the violations and a deadline to correct them.

4. The landlord must schedule a building inspector with the Fire Marshal's Office or local fire department when corrections have been made.

5. If violations remain uncorrected, a condemnation notice will be issued and posted on the property indicating that no one may occupy the structure until all code violations are corrected.

A property can be condemned when it meets any of the following conditions:

1. The owner has failed to comply with orders from the Fire Marshal's Office or local fire department to make the required corrections;

2. The building is in a state of collapse.

3. The building is unsanitary and unfit for human habitation; defective electric wiring, gas connections, and heating apparatus;

4. The use of the building is hazardous to life, health, or property;

5. Such buildings constitute a separate and distinct offense of public nuisance.

Some people choose to live in condemned houses, but it is not recommended. There could be many reasons why such a building has been condemned, from serious structural damage to health hazards like asbestos. If you choose to live in a condemned house, be sure to have it inspected by a professional to ensure it is safe. The danger of living in such a property might result in potential harm or even demolition, putting your property rights and resident status into question. Consult real estate agents for advice on finding a safe, suitable settlement.

A notice of condemnation, similar to a uniform citation, will be served to you and posted on the front door of your home, sometimes with a red helmet tag to clearly mark the property as unsafe for residents. Remember, it's crucial to understand and respect the authority of the Fire Department and other involved agencies, to preserve your safety and that of your neighbors. Stay informed and prepared, and you'll be able to handle such situations with confidence. This document will clearly state why your house was condemned and what needs to be done to bring it up to code and have the condemnation lifted, helping homeowners make an informed decision about the next steps.

It may also state how long you have before being required to vacate your home. Check with your local government building department or fire department to find out if your home has been condemned. Staying informed about such news can greatly benefit the community by addressing potential problems promptly and avoiding unnecessary risks.

Here are some things you can do if your house gets condemned by the fire department.

Make Safety a Priority

The most important thing to do is make safety a priority. If you're in the house when it gets condemned, evacuate and find a safe location (like your nearest fire station) to stay for the evening. It's better to be safe than sorry, so it's best not to take any risks. You may need a truck or other transport for your belongings, and always use a ladder if necessary to exit the house safely.

Next, contact your insurance company as soon as possible. They'll have a list of contractors you can call to help get your home back up and running again. You'll want to assess what damages need fixing and how much they will cost before deciding which contractor to hire. Some contractors may offer deals or discounts if they know they're one of your only options. It is something you don't want to give away too quickly, so try to see if any other companies can provide a quote first.

Assessing the Damage

The first thing you'll want to do is assess the damage. If the fire was small, there might not be any damage. You can take your time and put out the flames with a fire extinguisher, or seek assistance from others if needed. However, if it's a large fire, you will need to evacuate immediately to mitigate the risk of danger.

In this case, you should make sure everyone in the home is accounted for, including any animals and pets.

Next, remove anything that could catch on fire if left unattended: clotheslines, curtains, and easily flammable items.

At this point, you should contact your insurance company or agent to file a claim and find out what their policy dictates for these types of situations. You may need to provide them with pictures of the damage before they can come up with an estimate for repairs or replacement costs. If you have concerns about the accuracy of the estimate, seek advice from a professional to ensure the proper amount is allocated for restoration.

However, keep in mind that it may not be safe to stay in your house while you wait for them to come out, because there still may be active flames or smoke coming from your property. If this is the case, set up a temporary shelter elsewhere with family or friends while they assess the damage to your home, to have everything they need when they arrive on site. In some cases, an eminent domain might come into play, with the court taking possession of the land due to safety concerns or damage beyond repair, such as severe infestations or structural issues.

Make a Plan

The only way to deal with a house fire is to be prepared before it happens. So the first step is to create a plan of action and ensure you have all the necessary supplies before an emergency happens.

What would happen if your home burnt down? Where would you go? How would you care for your family members? These are all important questions that need to be answered with a plan. Please make sure everyone in the family knows the plan and has participated in making it. It will make it easier once disaster strikes. If you live alone, make sure there is someone who knows about your safety plan. If your house gets condemned by the fire department due to an issue such as water damage, mold, or any other cause, don't panic! We have a full guide on what household items and documents you need to reclaim for residents, property owners, and even firefighters on the scene. Our content provides helpful tips to ensure a smooth transition during this challenging time for any homeowner.

If your house gets condemned by the fire department, don't panic! We have a full guide on what household items and documents you need to reclaim.

Instead, take these steps so that when that sad day comes, you'll be ready:

1) Call a temporary hotel and make reservations for yourself and any children or pets that live at home. This is essential for the well-being of all residents, especially during the period when the home is uninhabitable.

2) Find out how long it will take for repairs to get started on the home. You'll want to know exactly how long you're going to be away from your home so that you can start arranging everything else with your schedule in mind.

3) Make a list of necessities like medication, toiletries, clothing, and anything else that's important to have at hand while gone from the normal routine of life. Creating this list for yourself and your pets will ensure their well-being and provide value while staying away from home for extended periods, as it guarantees that the right items are prioritized for safety.

4) Keep this list updated as needed throughout repairs on their house. So they're always prepared for anything unexpected happening while they're away from their home, ensuring that the right items are at hand during emergencies.

Prepare a List of Possessions to Save

If you have a house fire, you're likely to be in a hurry to save your most important possessions. However, this can often lead to forgetting small items that still hold value and are crucial for daily living purposes. That is why it's so important to prepare a list of the possessions you want to save before a fire occurs (especially if your home has already been condemned). To avoid losing a lot, make sure to prioritize and secure your essential belongings in advance.

If possible, create a list of those items and store them somewhere outside the home. If not, write down what you'll need for yourself and your pets, taking into consideration any issues you may encounter during a fire. It will make things easier when you eventually have to leave your home, ensuring the right essentials are accounted for.

Create an Emergency Fund

The first thing you want to do is create an emergency fund. It will help cover your living expenses and other necessities while your house is being rebuilt during the construction period. For example, you can use your emergency fund to stay in a hotel, purchase food, and pay for necessary bills. Saving up for potential fire hazards is one of the ways you can protect yourself and ensure you have the right resources in place.

Hire A Realtor

Before your house gets condemned by the fire department, you should try to hire a real estate agent. A reputable agent, who is no stranger to dealing with materials and premises affected by fire, will be able to help you find a new place to live before your house is condemned by the firefighter. They'll also be able to help you get cash for your fire damaged property, ensuring its value doesn't depreciate, and make sure it doesn't turn into a complete disaster in the meantime.

The downside to hiring a realtor is you'll need to pay them 6% commission on the sale price.

Sell To Real Estate Investor

Working with a real estate investor will certainly make the process hands-off. We just need the disclosure of the house undergoing a fire and where the fire originated. Then we take it over from there and do our own due diligence, ensuring that the right inspections and evaluations are conducted. Best practices to sell a fire damaged property include Finding buyers for fire damaged properties, which is part of our expertise. We will utilize our network and marketing strategies to attract potential buyers who see the potential in such properties. Our goal is to maximize the value of your fire-damaged property by presenting it in the best possible light to interested buyers. Maximize your property's value after fire damage by working with experienced professionals in this field, so you can alleviate some of the stress associated with the aftermath of a fire and focus on rebuilding your life.