Question:

“My neighbor told me that our park manager entered her home without any notice or reason. Supposedly there were no issues after that, but I am uncomfortable with the notion that the park manager can barge in whenever he feels like it. Are they allowed to do that?”

-Wendy B (36), resident, Buffalo, NY

Answer:

Rest assured, this is a reasonable concern to have. Residents are entitled to their privacy and thus park managers should never unexpectedly enter into a resident’s home without a proper reason.

In our experience, the only scenario in which a park manager could justifiably enter a resident’s home without notice would be in the event of an emergency. What qualifies as an emergency can vary from place to place, but generally these situations would require imminent safety concerns (gas leak, flooding, structural damage, etc.), medical emergencies, or suspected illegal activities.

Note that while emergency situations may justify immediate entry, the park manager is still expected to act reasonably and responsibly, taking into consideration the safety, privacy, and rights of the resident.

With that said, in most cases, park managers are required to provide reasonable notice to residents before entering their lots for non-emergency reasons. Otherwise, park managers do not have the right to enter a home or accessory structure without the prior consent of its occupants, with the exception of when a resident has legitimately abandoned the structure.

You may want to consult with your park manager regarding the specific policies of your park that could justify the manager’s visit inside your property. There may be details relating to the specific incident that your neighbor may not have been made aware of, or which the park manager did not clearly explain.

Overview:

  • The park manager may not enter a resident’s home without consent or notice, except in the event of an emergency.