fencing

[helen]

I am not sure I am in the right forum but here goes.
I have a tenent in a mobile home who has put up a fence across the front of his property. Now the tenent in the next unit cannot go to his back yard or be able to escape through his back yard because of the fence. I have tried to look up a code requirement about fencing and have not found it yet. Is this allowed? Yes they are fueding/ ugh.

[David Oxhandler]

You are the owner. Regardless if the local code permits fences, you need to be the ultimate arbitrator of what is right and what is wrong on your property.... and for your bottom line.

I have owned individual rental units and parks. All of my rental agreements ALWAYS prohibit the tenants from making any improvements with out my expressed permission. We NEVER permit tenants to install fences.

When you start to let your tenants install fences you will end up with an ugly patchwork of fencing of varied quality sizes and colors. This will run down the value and appearance of your property and make it more difficult to rent your properties to desirable tenants. (lower return on your investment)

The fences will lead to unplanned expenses for you in the future. On top of all your other maintenance obligations you will be expected to take care of that fence. If it become a hazard or code violastion at any time or once the installing tenant moves out, you will own the fence. Even if you decide to take the fence down when they leave, the expense of removal and disposal fess will fall back on you.

Additionally if anyone sustains injury and the fence is involved, you, the landlord, will be perceived have the deepest pockets and could very well find yourself forced to defend the fence, your bank account and take responsibly.

I would give the tenant 2 weeks to remove the fence and restore the area to its former condition. Fence parts hauled off the property and holes filled. Let them know that if they fail to meet your deadline you will hire a contractor to handle the removal and restoration and charge the cost to their damage deposit.

If you are concerned about appearing unreasonable, at this late stage, I would let them know that the insurance company will require a higher premium to permit fences.

If you don’t stop this now there is an excellent chance that every time one of the neighbors have a spat or decide they want a puppy you will be burdened with more and more fences (read... headaches, expenses and lower profit).

Put your foot down, NOW!

[helen]

Thank you. W took over the park three weeks ago and I see alot of rules broken here and were in the process of getting the rules out to people with a notice to get things right in 10 days or we will for you, or ask you to leave. But the fence I feel was important since it is ugly, home built and to me a fire danger,
Thanks for your help.

Helen