Managing a mobile home park can quickly become chaotic if you don’t keep up with all your responsibilities. To keep the chaos at an arm’s length, a community inspection checklist will keep your park in prime condition.
It’s not your fault that things require maintenance — that’s part of everyday life. Life requires care. And it is up to you to give that care to your park.
A community inspection checklist for your mobile home park
Our hope is that the following community inspection checklist will help you keep that mobile home park in good shape. Walk around the park, take notes, and make the changes you need for a pristine park.
Speed limit visible and enforced
Your park’s speed limit signs should not be obscured or hard to read. Verify that they’re visible and ensure they’re enforced.
Speed bumps should be taken care of
Are the speed bumps highlighted with paint? If they’re not highlighted, it’s time to consider giving them a fresh coat of paint. What’s the point of a speed bump if it’s not noticeable until a car hits it?
Road quality
Any potholes or erosion? Go for a jaunt around the park and inspect the quality of your community’s roads.
Mobile home park rules enforced
While every park probably has rules, it may not be that they’re actually enforced. You don’t want them to be merely on a document for show. To keep anarchy from taking the reigns of your park life, double check that your rules fit the park’s vision and that you are enforcing them.
Keep your park rules in a visible location such as a community bulletin board.
Fire hydrants
In the case of a fire, you want to keep tabs on your fire hydrant’s working order. Are they in good working condition?
Pet rules posted and enforced
Whether you are OK with most pets or no pets, you should have your park’s stance on pets posted. Make it clear so there is no doubt in anyone’s mind.
No swimming signs in restricted areas
If you have bodies of water on the mobile home park’s property that aren’t for swimming, you should consider posting a “no swimming” sign. Older kids, especially, may think it’s a good place to swim. Unless you do have a body of water that is safe for swimming, it’s best to post “no swimming” signs.
Sidewalks and parking spots in good condition
Another aspect of the park to check on is the condition of sidewalks and parking spots. In particular, you don’t want a tripping hazard for pedestrians in your park.
Steps and stairs maintained and well-lit
The above concern for tripping hazards goes with this too — steps and stairs need to be safe for your residents and visitors.
Enough lighting throughout the park
To ward off mischief and keep a safe vibe about your park, you’ll want to check on your lighting conditions. Are all your lights in working condition? Also, is there enough light throughout the park?
Oil spill clean-up procedure
In case a vehicle has a sudden oil leak or someone spills oil, have an oil spill clean-up procedure ready at the helm. These oil spills or leaks should be cleaned up immediately.
Program for cold weather ice and snow build up
Park management needs to have a plan in place for winter procedures such as an ice and snow build up. How will the roads get cleared? Are you prepared for the oncoming winter weather?
Irreparable vehicles and appliances must be removed
Rather than allow irreparable vehicles and appliances to sit and collect rainwater in your community’s yard space, have a policy in place that requires their immediate removal. Otherwise, your park may turn into a dump.
Smoking policy in play? Enforce it.
If you have smoking rules, verify that they are enforced. And help your residents observe them. For example, if you have designated smoking areas, encourage residents to stub out by providing cigarette receptacles.
Landscape care
Is your staff keeping an eye on the grass and weeds that pop up? Are your residents taking care of their respective lots, per the lease agreement?
Lot numbers
See that the lot numbers are clearly legible on each lot. Additionally, some numbers may need replacement.
Emergency phone numbers accessible
Keep a collection of emergency phone numbers handy and visible in the mobile home park and office. In the event of an emergency, you’ll be glad you did this.
Give a copy of park layout to the fire department
Give a copy of your park layout to the local fire department. If you’ve already done that in the past but have made changes to the park since then, it’s time to update your layout plans and hand an updated copy to the fire department.
Make the checklist work for you
This checklist serves the purpose of working for you and your mobile home park community. Don’t let it overwhelm you. Print it out, walk around your park, and take notes. Share your to-do list with your staff — give them their assignments with deadlines and don’t forget to check with them to ensure it gets done.
Speaking of having plans and procedures in place for winter weather, have you considered a plan for emergencies? Having an emergency preparedness plan could save lives.
About Dan Leighton
