Is Your Property at Risk After a Death? What Every Property Manager Should Know
When a tenant dies in one of your properties, the emotional weight of the situation is matched only by the practical concerns that follow. While you may think the biggest hurdle is dealing with the lease or notifying the next of kin, there’s another issue that too many property managers overlook: the biohazard risk.
As a property manager, you could be held liable for health hazards and code violations if proper steps aren’t taken after a tenant passes away, especially if the death was unattended or involved trauma. Let’s break down what you need to know to protect your property, your tenants, and your liability.
The Hidden Risks of Unattended Deaths in Rental Units
Many tenant deaths happen quietly, natural causes, health issues, or other personal circumstances. But if no one discovers the body for several days or weeks, serious contamination can occur. Bodily fluids begin to break down, absorb into floors or walls, and permeate the air. This is where the danger starts.
Unattended deaths are biohazard events. Blood, fluids, and tissues are classified as biohazardous material, meaning they can harbor pathogens like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, or bacteria like MRSA. Without professional remediation, your property could pose a serious health risk, not just to future tenants, but to maintenance staff and even you as the property owner.
If you think a basic cleaning service or janitor can handle this, think again. Improper cleanup can violate OSHA regulations and local health codes, opening the door to fines, lawsuits, or worse.
Apartment Death Liability: What Property Managers Must Know
After a tenant’s death, a common misconception is that cleanup becomes the responsibility of the family or next of kin. In reality, the property owner or manager is often responsible for restoring the unit to a safe, livable condition, especially if bodily fluids have contaminated floors, carpets, or walls.
Here’s where your liability increases:
- If you send untrained staff to clean a contaminated unit, you could be exposing them to infectious disease without the required OSHA protections.
- If a future tenant becomes ill or discovers lingering odors or biohazard remnants, you may be sued for negligence.
- If proper decontamination isn’t documented, you may run afoul of local housing codes or insurance policy conditions.
In short, your duty doesn’t stop at changing the locks. You need to ensure the unit is cleaned in compliance with federal and local regulations, and that means hiring a certified death cleanup service.
Why Certified Death Cleanup Services Are Essential
When a tenant dies in one of your properties, you don’t just need a cleaner—you need a professional biohazard remediation team. Companies like The BioClean Team are trained in OSHA compliance, state health regulations, and EPA guidelines. They follow strict protocols for containment, disinfection, odor removal, and waste disposal.
Certified death cleanup services offer:
- Documentation of the cleanup process for insurance and legal records
- Safe handling and disposal of biohazardous materials
- Industrial-grade deodorizers and equipment to restore air quality
- Peace of mind that your property is safe, clean, and rentable again
And just as importantly, professional teams work discreetly to respect your tenants’ privacy and avoid drawing attention to the incident.
Protecting Your Investment and Reputation
No one wants to think about the possibility of a death on their property, but being unprepared can be costly, both financially and reputationally. As a property manager, you already juggle repairs, leases, and tenants. Don’t add liability for hazardous cleanup to that list.
Instead, be proactive:
- Understand your legal responsibility for death cleanup.
- Add a professional biohazard remediation service to your vendor list.
- Create a protocol so your team knows exactly who to call in the event of a death.
If you’re dealing with the aftermath of a tenant’s death, don’t risk your property or your liability. Contact The BioClean Team for certified, compassionate, and professional death cleanup services. We’re available 24/7 and serve property managers across the region.
Let us handle the cleanup, so you can focus on moving forward safely and legally.
