Articles

Benefits of Hiring a Park Manager Running a manufactured home community is a lot of work. If you're trying to do it all by yourself, it can be a lot to manage. A manager can help you take care of the day-to-day so you can focus on growing your business. Park managers can help with hiring and managing other staff. They can also be in charge of office duties like bookkeeping, collecting and managing rent, running background checks on potential clients, and helping with budgeting. They can also manage maintenance and tenants’ requests. Questions to Ask During the Interview When you [...]

As a manufactured home community owner, there are many reasons why you would need to hire subcontractors for work around your community. You may have general maintenance employees on staff, but sometimes the work requires a more specialized skill or equipment. Some of this work may include, paving roads, building expansions, roof repair, septic system or plumbing issues, pool repair, and more. When you’re looking for a subcontractor to perform these jobs, it is a good idea to vet who you’re hiring to make sure they’re right for the job and ensure they are licensed and insured. Hiring a Subcontractor for Your [...]

With fall coming to an end and winter quickly approaching, you’ll want to make sure the right steps are in place to protect your residents, employees, and business. Here is how you should prep for winter as a manufactured home community owner: Tree Trimming When the snow starts coming down and the ice builds up on the tree branches, it adds extra weight to the limbs. If the snow and ice gets too heavy and the branch is dead or can’t support the weight, it could snap. If the falling branches cause home destruction or bodily injury, you could be held [...]

Spooky Season is here! The kiddos and parents are busy prepping their costumes, and your residents could be planning on trick or treating in your manufactured home community. As a community owner, there is some prep you need to take to make sure the night is enjoyable for your residents, they stay safe, and you are not liable for any accidents that may occur. Halloween Safety Tips for Manufactured Home Community Owners Lighting - Since parents and the children will be walking around the property in the evening/night, you want to make sure there is enough lighting for safety. Without it, [...]

As a manufactured home community owner, you may be aware that most Workers Compensation insurance companies won’t offer coverage for manufactured home community owners. This is because many MHC workers are part-time, employees often live in the park, and the generally low overall payroll. Without workers’ compensation coverage, Employers lose all workers compensation insurance legal protections.  Employees who are injured can elect to sue in civil court for whatever amount their lawyer dreams up. It is important to understand workers’ compensation, the laws regarding it, and how to protect your business and community. What is Workers’ Compensation?  Workers’ compensation is insurance [...]

As a manufactured home community owner, you want to make sure you take the proper steps and precautions to avoid costly lawsuits. By knowing the common lawsuits community owners face and the laws around them, you can steer clear of lawsuits and make sure you have the correct insurance coverage in place. Discrimination Lawsuits Community owners must comply with the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and disability. To avoid discrimination lawsuits, community owners should have a clear and consistent screening process for applicants and ensure that all residents are treated [...]

The hurricane season can be a worrying time for manufactured home community owners and tenants. Pre-HUD code manufactured homes can be more vulnerable to damage in severe weather. It's crucial for community owners to have insurance coverage that protects their property and the people who live there. Hurricane Insurance for Manufactured Home Community Owners  In terms of insurance, mobile home park owners should have a policy that covers wind damage if available.  Flood coverage on buildings and income should be sought if the property is located in a hazardous flood zone. If you are in an area that is susceptible to [...]

One of the most important aspects of a well-maintained community is the condition of its roads. As an owner of a manufactured home community, there are many benefits to having paved roads on your property. Paved roads are safer than unpaved roads. Unpaved roads can become slippery and dangerous in wet weather, leading to accidents and injuries. Additionally, potholes and other road hazards can damage vehicles and cause costly repairs. By paving the roads, community owners can ensure that their residents are able to travel safely and comfortably. Paving the roads also improve the appearance of a community. Unpaved roads can [...]

Swimming pools are a great addition to any manufactured home community, providing residents with a great way to stay cool and active during the hot summer months. However, owning and operating a pool also comes with a certain level of risk and liability. To minimize these risks, it’s important to take proactive measures to ensure the safety of everyone who uses your community’s pool. Here are some tips to help you reduce risk and liability at your manufactured home community’s pool. Establish Clear Rules and Guidelines It’s important to set the rules and guidelines for pool use. This includes things like [...]