Before storm season
Drainage, pumps, alarms, backup power, barriers, insurance and household communication.
Homeowner checklist library
Use the right checklist for the moment—not one oversized list for every decision.
RSM organizes residential flood-resilience actions by timing: routine maintenance, severe-weather preparation, property purchase, project planning and post-flood recovery.
- Ontario-focused
- Plain-language guidance
- Risk reduction, not guarantees
The essential answer
Choose a checklist based on the decision in front of you, then keep completed records with the home resilience plan.
Who this guide supports
Use this page when the property, question or decision matches one of these situations.
- Homeowners building an annual routine
- First-time buyers and new owners
- Residents preparing for storms
- Families documenting flood damage or planning work
Understand the system
Four parts of the decision deserve separate attention.
Routine maintenance
Component inventory, access, testing, service dates and replacement planning.
Before a purchase or project
History, permits, site drainage, professional scope and contractor questions.
After water entry
Safety, insurer contact, photographs, inventory, receipts and official assistance.
Guidance 1
Choose a focused list
A short list tied to a decision is more usable than a comprehensive document nobody completes.
RSM checklists point back to detailed guidance so users understand why each action matters.
- Use the storm-readiness checklist before severe weather
- Use maintenance logs for recurring ownership
- Use buyer questions during due diligence
- Use recovery records after damage
Guidance 2
Record completion and exceptions
Mark dates, names, findings and items that could not be completed. An unchecked item should lead to a decision rather than disappear.
Photographs can supplement but should not replace written findings.
- Assign an owner
- Set a due date
- Record the result
- Escalate unresolved safety issues
Guidance 3
Keep information transferable
A checklist becomes more valuable when it forms part of the property record and can be used by family members, tenants, buyers or service providers.
Protect privacy and store copies securely above likely flood level.
- Use consistent file names
- Back up digital copies
- Update contact information
- Archive obsolete versions
Practical workflow
Move from observation to a documented next step.
- 1
Select the checklist for the current decision
- 2
Review linked guidance before completing technical items
- 3
Record findings and supporting photos
- 4
Create follow-up actions with owners and dates
- 5
Store the completed list with the home resilience plan
Homeowner checklist
Record each completed item and create a follow-up action for anything unresolved.
Continue through the RSM system
Related guidance, programmes and professional pathways.
Official source pathway
Use current public sources for emergency, insurance, programme and technical context.
RSM summarizes and connects information but does not replace the issuing authority. Review the current official page before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Clear limits help homeowners make better decisions.
Are the checklists a substitute for inspection?
No. They organize observations and decisions but do not replace qualified technical, insurance or municipal advice.
Can a landlord or condominium use them?
Yes, but responsibilities and shared systems require building-specific adaptation.
How often should completed lists be updated?
Use the interval relevant to the topic and update after changes, repairs, storms or new official programme information.
Will RSM provide downloadable versions?
The final shared resource system will provide accessible downloadable and printable versions where appropriate.
Editorial and review note
This educational page was prepared by Regional Stormwater Management using official public sources and a risk-reduction framework. It does not provide engineering, legal, insurance or municipal approval. Content is reviewed when official guidance changes and on the RSM editorial schedule.
Recommended next step
Start with a property-wide plan
Combine the completed checklists into priorities, responsibilities and records.