Alright, relationships are hard. And when you’re managing a mobile home park, it’s basically one giant relationship with all its quirks, misunderstandings, and boundary-pushing moments. Maybe you’re convinced that they—meaning the tenants—are 70% of the problem. After all, you’re just trying to run a clean, quiet, profitable place, and they’re the ones using the lawn for storage and hosting wild karaoke nights in their driveways.
But, as any therapist will tell you, maybe it’s time to look at your own 30%. Even in mobile home park management, taking a hard look at your own behavior can help make things smoother and prevent small problems from escalating. Here’s a breakdown of six ways to “fix” your park-owner relationship, starting with a little self-reflection.
1. Look Back Before You Move Forward (aka, “Why Did the Last Tenant Leave, Again?”)
If you’re thinking about improving your park, start by examining past issues. Think of every past conflict as a learning experience. Did you handle the complaint about noisy neighbors a bit too aggressively? Did you wave off tenant concerns about maintenance? These moments are your “relationship history” with your tenants, and just like in personal relationships, it’s good to dig into them and see if you could’ve handled things differently.
This isn’t about beating yourself up; it’s about making things smoother in the future. Go back through your mental file, think about the conversations and dynamics that could’ve gone better, and make a few tweaks. A little bit of reflection now can mean fewer late-night phone calls later.
2. Build a Healthier Relationship with Yourself (aka, “Self-Care: Because Burnout Isn’t a Good Look”)
Running a park can feel like a 24/7 job if you’re not careful. If you’re constantly running around putting out fires and never making time for yourself, it’s no wonder things can feel tense with tenants. Self-care is crucial in managing any business, but especially one with this many moving parts.
So, make sure you’re scheduling downtime, setting office hours, and keeping your weekends as “you time.” Just like in any other relationship, you can’t be the best version of yourself for tenants if you’re running on fumes. And when you’re calm and grounded, those day-to-day interactions feel a lot less like a chore and more like a (sometimes rewarding) job.
3. Communicate Clearly and Effectively (aka, “How About We Just Say What We Mean?”)
In relationships, poor communication is the #1 killer. Same goes for mobile home parks. Are you sending out vague, half-hearted notes about park rules, or dropping subtle hints when someone’s BBQ setup is breaking fire code? Cut to the chase and clearly tell people what you need—just do it in a friendly, straightforward way.
If tenants don’t know the rules, it’s tough to expect them to follow them. So, make communication clear and friendly. Post notices when necessary, follow up in person if you have to, and skip the passive-aggressive notes under windshield wipers. Treat people like adults, and you’ll often get adult behavior back.
