Have Liability Losses in Your Mobile Home Park Gotten the Best of You?
Owning and operating a mobile home park is enough labor in and of itself. No owner needs the extra work and cash drain of a lawsuit generated by disgruntled or injured tenants.
Have you gotten bitten by one of these liabilities?
Tenants with Dangerous Dogs
Allowing tenants to own dogs that are known to be dangerous is asking for trouble. Rottweilers, pit bulls, chows, wolf hybrids, and German shepherds should not be allowed in the park. Dog bites prompt lawsuits very quickly. Avoid this unnecessary liability by simply prohibiting park tenants from keeping these kinds of dogs.
Lack of Handrails in Common Areas
Common areas and rental homes with slopes, steps, or ramps should have railings. If a tenant or visitor falls and decides to sue you because there was no handrail, you’re liable. Install handrails to minimize the risk of falls and legal action.
Unrepaired Damage on Rental Homes
Keep rental homes maintained and in proper working order. If part of the structure or a component in the home needs repair and it causes injury to a tenant, guess who is responsible?
For example, say strong winds have partially pulled away a section of skirting from the mobile home. The tenant falls over the piece of skirting, gashes his or her leg, and must get stitches. You get sued for negligence.
Pools Not Fenced Properly
This liability is a big one. Do not allow a horrifying accident to occur because you didn’t secure the park pool. Enclose the pool with a fence and locked gate, provide accessible pool safety equipment, and post signs with pool rules. Make sure you comply with all local and state safety codes and requirements. An avoidable pool event may cost you a lot of money in legal fees, and the emotional impact of the accident may stay with you forever
Public Walkways with Slip and Fall Hazards
Again with responsible walkways. Sometimes handrails are not enough. Look at the pavement. Is it uneven? Cracked? Buckled? Moldy? Flooded? Impeded?
Any of these scenarios can result in a slip-and-fall accident and a lawsuit. Replace affected sections of concrete or grind them down. Hire an exterior cleaning company to remove slippery mold. Fix the drainage issues causing water seepage onto the walkway. Cut out tree roots growing over paths. Lift tree floors so that low-hanging branches do not obstruct walkers’ vision.
Falls can result in gashes and broken bones. Worse things happen when people fall backward and hit their heads. Keep your park walkways unobstructed.
Not Enforcing Park Rules
Park rules are established for tenant and visitor safety, security, and happiness. Don’t be lax; enforce these rules. You want to maintain safe grounds and structures and avoid accidents that could lead to injury and legal action.
Sick of the Liabilities? Mobile Home Park Buyers Can Help You
Mobile home park ownership is not for everyone. You may be a new owner or one who has held the park for years. In either case, if you’re weary of the liabilities and the fear of a legal incident, it might be time to sell. Mobile home park brokers can help you sell your park.
Mobile home park ownership is not for everyone. You may be a new owner or one who has held the park for years. In either case, if you’re weary of the liabilities and the fear of a legal incident, it might be time to sell your mobile home park. Call us today to learn about your options and how we can help.