Question about parking in Massachusetts for Multi-Family Properties

[Rob Beland]

I have a few multis in Leominster, MA and as those of you in this area know, this past winter has been rough and like many, my parking areas have gotten a lot smaller and parking has been limited. I have had a couple instances with icicles falling on cars and I'm trying to limit my exposure to insurance claims. My question is this...

Has anybody had any experience with using signage to restrict parking in MA to tenants only as a way to reduce liability? I had one issue with a guest of a tenant that parked in a spot along a house where there is a problem with big icicles falling. Tenants know about it and don't park there but a new tenant had a guest over and the guest parked there and his car was hit by a huge icicle. They now have a claim against my insurance company.

I'd like to #1 - Give formal notice to all tenants at all my properties that parking is for tenants only . All guests are to park in the street or in a nearby municipal lot. I want to add a provision to my standard TAW agreement that states the parking policy so that tenants acknowledge that parking is for tenants only and they are responsible for notifying their guests of the parking policy. That way if the car of a guest is damaged, I will not be held liable. 

#2 - Add Signage so that in the event somebody ignores the policy, the signage is there for further protection. 

#3 - Notify my insurance company of this policy so in the event there is damage to a visitor's car, they are aware of the policy and will deny any claim against them for damage to a guest's vehicle

I'd like to hear from those of you in MA who have had similar situations with damage to vehicles from falling ice and how you have made changes to your policies to limit your insurance exposure. 

Thanks all...

[Ann Bellamy]

I put it in my lease that tenant's personal property is not covered by my insurance and they should get their own insurance.  If they file a claim, your insurance company will decide to pay or not pay based on their own criteria and what costs them the least amount of money, not on what you want or how you notify them.