by Attorney Janet Portman

Homeowners displaced after a disaster such as a fire, flood, or hurricane may find themselves in the market for a rental.

Owning a home is supposed to provide stability. But a major disaster such as an earthquake, fire, or flood can send many homeowners in search of temporary living quarters. The wildfires that raged through southern California in October 2007 were no exception, having destroyed over 1,800 homes and businesses. Families who may not have been renters for many years suddenly found themselves in the market for an apartment, condo, or other rental property. Here's what they need to keep in mind.

1. Get an Advance From Your Insurance Company

Your homeowners' insurance policy most likely includes coverage for "loss of use." That means that you're entitled to living expenses, including housing costs, that exceed your normal, everyday expenses. You're within your rights to ask your insurer to send you an advance on those expenses.

If your house just needs some relatively quick repairs in order to be livable again, the insurer will pay for a hotel stay. But if not, you're going to need a large chunk of cash to cover not only your first month's rent, but also a >security deposit. (In California, this can be up to twice the monthly rent, or three times the monthly rent for a furnished rental.) And if you rent an unfurnished home, you'll need money for furnishings, too.

Most policies place a dollar or time limit on your loss of use coverage, to pressure you into acting quickly to get your home repaired or replaced. Think twice before you sign any long leases!

2. Look for an Appropriate Rental

Your insurance company will pay for a rental that closely approximates the home you can no longer occupy. This means that if you lived in a simple one-bedroom in a modest neighborhood, you shouldn't set your sights on a lavish condo or four-bedroom mansion.

Call your insurance agent and work out an understanding of the reimbursement you can expect (confirm any conversations in writing or by email). Of course, the reality of the situation may be that only higher-end rentals will be available, in which case you shouldn't have to pay out of pocket. Or, if you're dissatisfied with what's in your price range, you may decide to kick in some money of your own to rent a suitable place. Whatever you do, don't head into a rental search until you understand how much you can expect from your insurance company.

3. Get Ready to Market Yourself

Your local rental market may have been tight before the disaster, but it can only get worse afterward, as you compete with others in equally desperate straits. The situation in San Diego County immediately following the October 2007 fires is a case in point: According to a report from MarketPointe Realty Advisors issued three days before the fires began, the vacancy rate was only a mere 2.58%. Displaced homeowners made that market even tighter.

Knowing that you'll be competing for a scarce resource, prepare now to make yourself the best candidate. Landlords may be sympathetic to your plight, but they'll be protective of their own business interests, too, and looking for the prospect most likely to pay the rent and be a conscientious and considerate tenant. Follow the specific tips below to make yourself stand out.

4. Assemble a Renter's Kit

Pull together and bring with you key documents that will establish your qualifications on the spot, such as:

• Proof of support from your insurance company. Get a letter from your agent attesting to your situation as a burned-out homeowner. Make sure it includes a statement that your coverage will include rent reimbursement for an alternate place to live.
• Credit report. To show that you aren't so strapped that you're likely to use insurance money for other expenditures, bring a copy of your credit report. You can get a free copy of your report once a year from all three of the major credit reporting agencies at www.annualcreditreport.com.
• Proof of employment. Landlords normally want to make sure you make enough money (generally three times the rent) to afford the place. Get a letter from your employer, on letterhead, attesting to your employment and salary or hourly wage. Ask your employer to offer information on your good qualities as an employee (many of those, such as punctuality and ability to get along with coworkers, translate directly into "good tenant" qualities).
• Proof of income. Many displaced homeowners are self-employed and won't be able to bring a letter from a job. Instead, you can show that you make sufficient income by using a copy of your last tax returns. Contact your accountant or tax preparer if you no longer have those returns (they should have a copy). If you had a home-based business, you may need to provide additional explanation of how you'll continue to work.